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Suspected organised crime group members arrested in dawn raids across Rochdale and Oldham

Greater Manchester Police arrested seven suspected organised crime group members during dawn raids across Oldham and Rochdale on Thursday (February 25).

The Manc The Manc - 25th February 2021
Dawn raids took place across Oldham and Rochdale / Image: Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police arrested seven suspected organised crime group members during dawn raids across Oldham and Rochdale on Thursday (February 25).

Officers executed warrants across four properties throughout the morning, taking four men – aged 30, 31, 37 and 40 – and three women – aged 33, 38 and 42 into custody.

The individuals were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences, including conspiracy to supply firearms; supplying class A drugs; money laundering; and participating in criminal activities.

Eight vehicles and around £20,000 in cash was also seized during searches.

The raids were conducted as part of Operation Foam – a GMP mission to intercept encrypted communication services used by organised crime groups. 

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Seven were arrested during the raids / Image: Greater Manchester Police
Warrants were executed as part of Operation Foam / Image: Greater Manchester Police

Detective Sergeant Alex Brown of GMP’s Oldham Challenger Team, said the raid was a “fantastic result.”

The DS added: “I hope this sends a clear warning to those using these encrypted systems for criminality – our investigation is continuing at speed and we will continue to identify, disrupt and dismantle this type of activity. 

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“There is no place for organised crime within our communities and GMP is committed to ensuring those responsible face justice.

“As always, we would encourage anyone with any information or concerns in relation to this type of behaviour to make contact with police.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.   

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

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“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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