Officers were out on Friday as part of the Project Servator operation, a national policing scheme to disrupt criminal activity and provide a reassuring presence for the public.
Uniformed officers spoke with members of the public and took action to tackle crime.
Police said teams in Bolton and Cornbrook intervened during disturbances and returned children home safely in both incidents.
Around 6.30pm, a 40-year-old man from Ashton-under-Lyne was arrested near the Manchester Piccadilly tram stop on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, breaching court bail and assaulting a police officer.
Just after 9pm in St Peter’s Square, officers arrested a man they had reportedly been wanting to speak with in relation to a number of thefts in Trafford.
The 29-year-old man from Salford was also arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.
Officers were also in Bury, Little Hulton, Trafford and around Media City.
Inspector James Corrigan, from Greater Manchester Police’s specialist operations planning unit, said: “This deployment is one of many we do on a regular basis around Greater Manchester, working with our transport unit and partners, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), showing an active presence on the tram and bus networks.
“Our aim is always to keep the public safe and these deployments go a long way in doing that, our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime and having extra trained officers will strengthen that.
“While we targeted many forms of criminality, we’re also there to prevent anti-social behaviour and intervene in instances to ensure everyone travelling via public transit can go about their journeys feeling safe and reassured.”
Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe partnership manager, said: “Ensuring that customers and staff are safe, and feel safe, when travelling or working on public transport is of paramount importance to us, and our commitment to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour on our networks is absolute.
“Project Servator is vitally important in helping reassure the travelling public and deter groups and individuals from engaging in unwanted behaviours, and the TravelSafe Partnership will continue to support our partner agencies in delivering this deployment.”
