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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.   

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Family of 21-year-old Lewis Durham pay tribute to ‘fun-loving character’ tragically killed in traffic collision

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lewis Durham tributes Wigan death

The family of 21-year-old Lewis Durham who was tragically killed in a traffic collision last week have paid tribute to the “fun-loving character” and young man who had “the world at his feet”.

Lewis Durham and two other people were involved in the crash on 13 April, which saw the young man and another male on the back of his bike collide with a car on Ormskirk Road in Wigan around 7:15pm.

Durham, from the town of Workington in West Cumbria, was sadly declared dead at the scene and his 56-year-old passenger, who was also thrown from the bike, unfortunately passed away from his injuries after being rushed to hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, a 41-year-old male, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury following the incident. He has since been released on bail.

Writing in their emotional tribute via Greater Manchester Police, the Durham family wrote: “It is with great sadness that Lewis has been so tragically taken away from us. He sadly passed away in a road traffic accident in Wigan on Saturday 13th April.

“The youngest in our family with the world at his feet. He’s left a huge hole in our family, our hearts are absolutely broken. He was always a happy, fun-loving character, who had everything going for him in life, loved by everyone and had the best of friends. A loving son, grandson, and little brother.

“We’d like to thank the emergency services and people who assisted him at the scene who comforted him in maybe his last moments. We’ll cherish every memory we have of you, Lewis.

“We’re all beyond proud of you and will miss and love you forever. You’re now the brightest star in the sky Lewis. Love you forever and always Mam, Dad, Grandma, Granda, Nana, and your two big sisters.”

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Our thoughts are with Lewis’ loved ones during this difficult time. A GoFundMe has now been set up by his best mate Leo McMullen to help “raise some money to give to charity and mark his memory”. It has already surpassed its £3k target, with over £11,000 raised across 600+ donations.

You can donate HERE.

It’s been an emotional couple of weeks for the Wigan community also, as locals and the rugby league world at large united in mourning the loss of 21-year-old Gabriel Holt earlier this month.

Rest in peace.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police/DPP Law (via Flickr)

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Today is your last day to register to vote in Greater Manchester’s local and mayoral elections

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Today is your last day to register to vote in Greater Manchester’s local and mayoral elections, as the deadline ends at midnight tonight.

With less than a month to go until the big election day arrives, residents across the Greater Manchester region are being urged to make sure they’re registered to vote and have their voter photo ID ready, so that they’re able to head to the polls and have their say on who makes the important decisions that affect them.  

In order to vote in the local and mayoral elections on Thursday 2 May, Greater Manchester residents must register before midnight tonight (Tuesday 16 April).

It takes just five minutes to apply on the gov.uk website.

This year, residents across Greater Manchester will be voting in two elections, with residents in Salford voting in three elections.

These are for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority – who is a major figure in the political life of the city-region, with unique powers and responsibilities – and for local Councillors, who are elected to represent their local area and residents, and get to contribute to the development of local policies too.

On top of this, Salford residents will also be voting for The Salford City Mayor too, who is Salford’s political, strategic, and community leader, and has overall responsibility for the delivery of all council services.

In case you aren’t quite up to speed, nominations for Mayor candidates closed on Friday 5 April, and that means there’s a total of six people standing in the third election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester – with current Mayor, Labour and Co-operative’s, Andy Burnham, being one of them.

The candidates nominated to stand in the election for the Mayor for Greater Manchester Combined Authority are:

  • Jake Austin (Liberal Democrats)
  • Dan Barker (Reform UK)
  • Nick Buckley (Independent)
  • Andy Burnham (Labour and Co-operative)
  • Laura Evans (The Conservative Party
  • Hannah Kathrine Spencer (Green Party)
Today is your last day to register to vote in Greater Manchester’s local and mayoral elections / Credit: Manchester City Council | gov.uk

As always, there are different ways to vote in the elections next month.

You can either do so at your local polling station, by post, or by proxy – which means appointing someone to vote on your behalf – with the deadline to apply for a postal vote in these elections being 5pm this Wednesday (17 April), and the deadline for applying for a proxy vote being 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

As mentioned, residents will need to show a valid form of photo ID at the polling station, such as a passport, driving licence, some types of bus pass or proof of age card, or a free Voter Authority Certificate.

According to GMCA, every registered voter in Greater Manchester will have started to receive an election booklet explaining more about the election, and election addresses prepared by each of the candidates, in the post from yesterday (Monday 15 April), as required by law.

Read more:

More information about the elections taking place in Greater Manchester, including information about voter ID, registering to vote, and applying for a postal or proxy vote, can be found at www.gmelects.org.uk.

Featured Image – gov.uk

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