Drug offenders hit by roadside checks

Three people were arrested for drug related offences in Rochdale yesterday (Sunday 16 August) as part of Operation Tornado, a forcewide operation to target criminals across Greater Manchester.

The operation saw officers in high visibility vehicles tackle a number of hot spot areas across the Division. It targeted a wide range of offenders entering or leaving an area and resulted in the Roads Policing Unit making a stop and search of a further five vehicles and seize one car.

A group of handpicked roads policing officers patrolled roads and Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology was used to make roadside checks. The officers were also supported by the Tactical Vehicle Crime Unit (TVCU) through the use of intercept vehicles, motorbikes, neighbourhood officers and drugs dogs.

Sergeant Philip Barlow, intelligence coordinator for Rochdale Division said: “This has been a great tool for us to utilise and by locking down this area, we have been able to successfully target those that may have been travelling in or out of the town to commit a crime.

“Initiatives like this area great way of showing the public that we are listening to them and are removing the criminals from our streets.”

If you see something suspicious and want to report a crime contact police on the non-emergency police line on 0161 872 50 50 or provide Crimestoppers with information anonymously on 0800 555 111.