Police spring clean yields 400 arrests

NEARLY 400 arrests have been made across Greater Manchester this week — including 45 in Oldham — in a police “spring clean” against crime.

Officers from across the force have been targeting the county’s most-wanted criminals in a bid to clean up the streets around Easter. The operation will now continue over the coming weeks.

So far, police have made 396 arrests, executed 56 warrants and carried out disruption visits to 565 known offenders. Arrests were for a variety of offences including robbery, drug-related crime, burglary, driving offences, domestic abuse and rape.

Four arrests have been made as a direct result of information from the public who saw wanted offenders on the ad vans that have been driving around Manchester and Rochdale.

Typically, at this time of year, as the clocks go forward and days get longer, there is a rise in anti-social behaviour, robbery and burglary.

People are reminded that officers will be out and about patrolling communities across the Force to keep this type of crime to a minimum during the school break.

They will be making young people aware of the activities available to them across the holiday period and victims will be contacted by officers and kept updated of actions taken.

Parents are advised to ensure they are aware of where their children are and where they are going at all times and to encourage them to find alternative activities during the holidays at venues such as local leisure centres and youth clubs.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett for Greater Manchester Police, said: “Our advice to the public is to ensure that windows and doors are kept locked — even when you are at home.”
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