Police and communities tackle drugs

Five people were arrested in Rochdale as part of a drugs week of action across the Force to tackle drug crime.

Officers were out in force across the borough between 10 and 12 June using a range of tactics to tackle drug crime and increase public awareness of cannabis as a class B drug.

Eight search warrants were executed by officers at the addresses of known and suspected offenders. It resulted in wraps of heroin, a sawn off shotgun, a small amount of cannabis and a cannabis plant.

Officers from the Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team successfully recovered 370 cannabis plants from two cannabis farms in the area. Other items discovered during the operation included £5,100 and a quantity of high quality jewellery and designer clothing. Those arrested will now be subject to a financial investigation.

Public reassurance was a major part of the operation, and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) conducted special high profile patrols in the areas where warrants were executed and provided crime reduction advice to the occupants.

Residents living in the areas where the recent Operation Perryville was carried out were revisited and supplied with full written progress updates into the investigation.

Officers also visited a number of schools as part of the operation to give youngsters information about drugs and their effects as well as essential crime reduction advice.

Detective Superintendent Mark Bell said: “This may not sound like a massive result when compared to the recent Operation Perryville, however it is still a significant find and one we would like to see continue. Drugs are a real concern for the borough but we are working really hard as a team to get rid of the problem that affects our community.

“We will continue to respond to information the public gives us to put a stop to drugs being supplied on the streets of Rochdale.”