16 arrested as police swoop in dawn raids

Police raids . . . 16 arrests.

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SIXTEEN people were arrested in dawn drugs raids across Oldham today.

More than 100 officers were involved in the 6am raids on 16 addresses in a bid to target dealers.

The operation followed a three-month investigation into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine.

Fifteen men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, after officers executed warrants in Westwood, Coldhurst and Hathershaw. They remain in custody for questioning.

Police continued to search properties throughout the morning and have seized drugs and cash.

Officers from Oldham’s neighbourhood policing teams launched the crackdown, codenamed Operation Rescind, as their response to community concerns over drug dealing that is increasing crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Officers from the neighbourhood policing teams, Serious Crime Division, tactical aid units and dog handlers took part.

Extra officers from the Oldham West Neighbourhood Policing Team will be patrolling the area over the next few days to provide a visible presence and reassurance to the community.

Oldham Chief Supt Tim Forber, who was involved in the raids, said: “It’s been a good morning. This is a significant drugs operation. Consistently in parts of the borough residents have expressed concerns to me and neighbourhood police teams about people dealing drugs.

“Residents spoke to us and voiced their concerns that class A drug dealing was causing them a problem so we have responded robustly to combat this. Our communities want us to sort out drug dealing.

“Drugs wreck lives and the crime associated with them causes misery to the whole community, so we do everything possible to find out who is responsible and put them before the courts. We are determined to seize the assets of people we convict.

“These arrests are the culmination of hundreds of hours of work by officers and we have used divisional and force resources to gather the intelligence we needed to take this action.

“It is not a quick process and we thank the community for their patience while we have been building the strongest case possible.”

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their community is asked to call officers on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.