Stun gun and drugs seized in Heywood

A stun gun and drugs were recovered when police raided a house in Heywood.

Police executed the warrant on King Street at about 9.50pm last night (Tuesday 15 June 2010) and seized a mobile phone converted to work as a stun gun stashed in a kitchen cupboard.

Officers also discovered a foil wrap containing white powder, a syringe of brown liquid and a bag of blue pills in the bathroom.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and possession of a Class A drug and has been bailed until 7 September 2010 pending further inquiries.

Police received information the man had a stun gun at about 5.30pm and this was fed through the Rochdale Hub, which is a new style of co-ordinating police resources across the town.

It is a central point that provides real-time information and intelligence on crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as community and individual threats and risks.

Through the Hub, a warrant was obtained quickly, allowing officers to seize the weapon and drugs within hours of receiving the information.

Inspector Michelle Hughes said: "The stun gun we found had been converted from a mobile phone and could have seriously injured someone, so it is extremely pleasing to have seized it so swiftly after we received information about this weapon. Stun guns like this can be very dangerous, especially when they are used irresponsibly by someone who is not trained to use them, so there is no excuse for having one.

"This really does show the value of the Rochdale Hub, which allows senior officers to act on information as it comes in so officers on the streets can respond quickly to the needs of residents. This is at the centre of the new Policing Model we have introduced to put the needs of people in our neighbourhoods first. Their priorities are our priorities, and seizing this gun and drugs means the community is a safer place.

"It also shows what we can achieve when we work together. I hope this sends out a strong message that if anyone does have concerns or information about criminality in their area, we will respond positively.

"I would continue to ask people to call us - in confidence if needed - if they have information about the whereabouts of drugs or weapons so we can act."

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.