Police operation leads to 54 arrests in Oldham

Police operation in Oldham

More than 50 people have been arrested and a whole host of vehicles seized by Greater Manchester Police across Oldham as part of Operation Avro.

During the day of action, which started early on Thursday, March 31, with officers carrying out the first raid at around 5am and had arrested more than 30 people by 8am.

Two men were arrested during the first searches of three properties in the town, they’ve both been charged and have appeared in court accused of drug and firearms offences.

In all, 23 warrants were carried out across Oldham with four houses searched later in the day for a range of offences including burglary, drug dealing and robbery.

Seven people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery as part of the investigation into delivery drivers being targeted. As a result of the searches drugs and cash were also found and seized.

However, it wasn’t just people who were rounded up by police, a total of 13 vehicles were also taken off the road in Oldham and four people arrested in connection with around 240 traffic offences, 99 of those relating to speeding offences.

Three of the arrests were for driving under the influence of drugs and one for drink-driving.

CS Bowen thanked the Oldham community for its help and support on a 'successful operation' and making Oldham a safer place to live.

He said: "We were out on the streets at 5am making numerous arrests for offences including importation of drugs, burglary and robbery using information and intelligence from the public.

"We've had an amazing afternoon of engagement with events at Limeside Park and a full meeting of the youth council.

"We will be doing this every month across Greater Manchester - this is about putting GMP on the front foot and criminals on the back foot.

"Avro isn't a one-off big hit for us, though - we have had Operation Vortex in Oldham every month since November which is like a mini-Avro.

"And don't worry if you've missed Avro - if you have any information about criminal activity then please let us know and we will act."

You can find and contact your local neighbourhood officers from the link Your area | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk) or if you wish to remain anonymous please contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.