Police step up patrols to protect children in Manchester city centre with Operation Luka
Throughout the summer, police increased proactive patrols as part of Operation Luka, their overarching response to tackling child exploitation in Manchester city centre, to support young people who may be at risk of harm.
Specialist officers from the Complex Safeguarding Hubs across the region joined to provide on-the-ground support around Manchester city centre including Piccadilly Gardens.
As part of Operation Luka, police and social workers deploy to the city centre to engage with young people in an informal setting to help foster trusted relationships. They also focused their efforts on gathering intelligence around young people and who they are associating with.
Police said: “Since April 2024, there have been 281 occasions where children have been protected and safeguarded from the risk of exploitation. We have identified forty people as being at risk of exploiting children within the Piccadilly Gardens area.”
Adding: “Since July 2024, there has been 362 disruptions which include arrests, positive stop searches, locating missing people, prevention activity, and detecting crime within the Piccadilly Gardens area.”
As a result of this work, police currently have sixteen live investigations ongoing, which include eight nominals identified.
Detective Sergeant Jinnett Lunt from the city centre Complex Safeguarding Team said: “The work of Operation Luka is vital in protecting vulnerable children and adults from exploitation in Manchester city centre.
“It’s just one part of a wider, coordinated effort between police and partners to keep children safe. Operation Luka is the embodiment of effective partnership working—by co-locating experts and sharing intelligence through our Complex Safeguarding Hubs, we’re identifying children at risk earlier and intervening before harm occurs.
“As we move into the autumn and the nights grow darker, our commitment to safeguarding does not stop. Police and partners will continue to have a visible presence around Piccadilly Gardens, engage with young people, and act swiftly on intelligence to disrupt harm and pursue those who seek to exploit others. This is a long-term effort, and we remain resolute in making the city centre a safer place for everyone.”