Mobs no longer rule

ORGANISED crime gangs are being torn apart after 300 arrests were made since October, 2012.

Operation Challenger was set up with support from the Government to target criminal networks across Manchester and Tameside in the wake of the murders of Diggle PC Nicola Hughes and her colleague Fiona Bone which saw notorious criminal Dale Cregan jailed for life last month.

Property worth £2 million has been seized along with £300,000 worth of drugs. The team initially targeted 28 key individuals and all but a handful have either been arrested and charged or are on bail.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: “The historic rivalry between criminal factions fighting over reputation and territory and creating alternative systems of justice was the spark that led to the tragic events we saw last year.”

The operation is likely to be extended across Greater Manchester and potentially on a national scale in future months.