Police arrest 16 in burglary crackdown

SMASH: police use a ram to enter a house in North Manchester as part of the investigation into burglaries

SIXTEEN people were arrested following a police investigation into burglaries across Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Stockport and North Manchester.

Shortly after 6am yesterday, officers raided a number of addresses in Newton Heath, Droylsden and Tameside as part of Operation Azuma.

Those arrested — 13 men and three women, none from the Oldham area — were held in connection with a variety of suspected offences, including firearms, burglary, handling stolen property, conspiracy to commit burglary, theft of motor vehicles, possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply and cultivating cannabis.

They are believed to have been involved in stealing high-value cars, property and having links with other areas of criminality.

Officers discovered a cannabis farm and recovered up to £150,000 worth of stolen cars taken during burglaries, a pistol and ammunition, Class A and B drugs and stolen property, some of which is suspected to have been taken during the disorder in Greater Manchester last month.

All 16 were still in custody this morning.