The Hawk surveillance van was paid for by the local community and is equipped with the most sophisticated kit available.
Its aim is to be a reassuring presence on the streets as well as a high-tech tool in the crackdown on criminals.
Insp Brendan O'Brien, from the Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We don't want to hide it away. We have already made it clear to people on our target list that we're going to be constantly in their faces in a bid to tackle street crime.
"And with this new van, and the technology it contains, it's going to be that much easier for us to do so. Some people might think we are spying on them Big Brother style, but the only ones we will be spying on are those most likely to commit crime.
"They need to know that we'll use every legal and ethical means of giving them a hard time. If they stop what they're doing and become useful members of society, they're very welcome, but otherwise we'll do our best to put them away."
Largely
The Hawk van has been paid for largely by two donations of £10,000 from the Trafford Housing Trust and the Irwell Valley Housing Association, with Trafford council meeting the extra £4,000 needed.
Insp O'Brien said: "The Trafford Trust has a community panel which makes donations to worthy causes on behalf of the community. I made a Dragon's Den-type bid for funding, and made a similar appeal to the Irwell Valley organisation. Fortunately both said `Yes'."
The van has three cameras including a long range camera capable of 360degree filming housed in a dome on the roof. Insp O'Brien said: "It's an expensive bit of kit, and we are so grateful that the local community has supported us and recognised the importance of getting to grips with street crime.
"It is not a solution in itself, but together with measures including setting up emergency help points in the town centre - and good old fashioned policing, it will have a much greater impact.
"The van is bright yellow so it already looks very distinctive, but the icing on the cake is the 360 degree camera.
"Because it is mounted inside a dome, nobody outside the vehicle can tell in which direction it is pointing, and the camera is so sophisticated that it can genuinely identify someone's features, or a car number plate from half a mile away.
"We hope that the vehicle will give the whole community an enhanced sense of guardianship by police in the area." Tweet
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How long before it gets nicked?
I am greatly encouraged by the Police determination to 'ensure they get put away'. Sadly, the do-gooders, the lawyers and the Courts think differently. Even the Government doesn't want to provide adequate prison places.
I would hate to be in the Police, fighting the above, as well as the criminals. I know I would get seriously disillusioned with the job.
Is the Salford police division also getting one of these vans? I should imagine that it would be more cost effective operating in Salford than it is in Sale.
"A POLICE spy van" u gotta be kiddin me with spy van you can spot it a mile off, which means your out of its range and make that getaway hahahahahaha
What if the ppl are wearing hoodies and masks job not a good one really is it,or the cars nicked,not a good job is it.
Lazy police sat again in cars.
on easter sunday i was up in rossendale taking the daughter for a sledge as it was packed with ppl doing this and yes there was a police motorway patrol car taking in some lovely views and tucked nicly away waiting for that 1 driver doing that 1 mph over 30mph.
What a wonderful world,i mean how many mororways are up in the green green hills of rossendale,not any benny.
And im watching you from my high powered telescope untill you move on them robb the bookmakers,who has left the back door open,with the keys in the safe with a stolen car for me and a hoodie.
Nice 1.
Fantastic! A pro-active police initiative that I'd like to see run out across the city - and beyond.
Let's make the 'baddies' afraid, for a change. Swamp areas where the crims live/congregate/gravitate and disrupt their nefarious ways. Reclaim the streets for 'Joe Public'.
Good on you GMP!
Mr O'Brien congratulations on your "Dragons Den-type bid for funding"...You obviously lost your vocation in life...Any business person would say to you,that that expensive piece of kit could have also meant another bright yellow van.2 vans,one area,manned by Officers wearing head-cams....sounds like a more enhanced sense of guardianship to me.But then I dont do Dragons Den-type bids,am just the public.
They best make sure they do not park in disabled lots in Asdas or the pavement outside Tescos when doing their 'spying'. Oh, also make sure they remove their satnav from their vehicle when leaving it!