Dealers, 'hides', burner phones and fake taxis - inside a two-week blitz on crime hotspots

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A team of cops arrested suspected drug dealers and gang members during an 'intense' two-week crackdown in Rochdale. They also uncovered a fake taxi linked to drug dealing and found a 'hide' in a car containing sim cards linked to drugs lines in the town.

An Inspector, two sergeants and 10 constables form the crack Operation Venture team which was set up in 2022 to tackle crime hotspots across Greater Manchester.

For the last fortnight, the squad has been 'embedded' in Rochdale, according to Greater Manchester Police. Among the results trumpeted by the force are the arrests of seven people, 12 stop and searches which resulted in seizures or other 'positive outcomes', class A and B drugs seized valued at £2,000 and 'dirty cash' totalling £5,000 uncovered. Try MEN Premium now for FREE...

just click here to give it a go. Parks and other open spaces linked to crime have been swept for weapons and, while out and about, officers have received 36 separate pieces of intelligence which are now being analysed.