Six arrested after guns found in cars

POLICE arrested six men after two guns were found when officers stopped three cars in Rochdale.

Three of the offenders were taken to hospital for treatment to various injuries sustained during the arrest and a 27-year-old man remains in hospital for observation.

The cars were stopped in Roch Mills Crescent at 9.30pm on Monday during a joint operation by the North-West Regional Crime Unit, GMP’s Tactical Firearms Unit and divisional officers from Rochdale, Tameside and Bury.

A grey Ford Focus and two black Ford Fiestas were stopped and a loaded sawn-off shotgun and pistol were recovered following searches of the vehicles.

Six men aged between 21 and 41 were arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms.

Detective Inspector Michael Fraser, of the North-West Regional Crime Unit TITAN (a collaboration of all six North West Police Forces) said: “This activity shows just how seriously we take community-led intelligence and will do all we can to eradicate serious organised crime within the North-West.

“We have also taken two firearms off the streets of Greater Manchester, which alone is a fantastic result.

“As a region we are committed to safeguarding people from violent criminals who do not think twice about using violence to get what they want.”