Arrests total 45 after 24 hour police crackdown

The number of arrests as part of Operation Admiral has risen to 45 in Rochdale.

Across Greater Manchester nearly 580 people were arrested as hundreds of homes were raided as part of the operation over the last 24 hours.

During the raids, two blank-firing handguns were recovered, three cannabis farms have been discovered and £60,000 worth of Duty-Free goods stolen from airports have been found.

The arrest total has risen to 576 and 165 people have already charged with various offences including burglary and robbery.

Assistant chief constable Terry Sweeney, said: "This is another proud day for the force. Greater Manchester is a safer place this morning.

"The benefits of this operation are huge. It's now 24 hours since the official start of this operation and we have taken 576 people off the streets, including two of our most wanteds.

"The operation is now over, but I expect that total to rise still further as people are processed as they come into custody suites overnight."