Two arrested as armed police swoop on gang after cash machine explosions

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Two men were arrested and explosives were found as part of a crackdown on cash machine explosions in Greater Manchester. Armed police, serious organised crime croup detectives and the dog unit swooped on the two men on Tuesday night (September 19) and detained the pair.

They found screwdrivers, sledgehammers and explosives in their vehicle. The two men - aged 36 and 39 - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Both remain in custody to be questioned. READ MORE: 'Prison is too good for you - but as long as you are behind bars, this world is a little safer' READ MORE: Family pay tribute to woman at centre of murder investigation as man is charged by detectives Anti-gang detectives at Greater Manchester Police 'believe an organised crime group is targeting commercial premises across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire'.

Police believe they place explosive devices inside ATMs to get cash from inside. The investigation is ongoing. Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry, from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group, said: "These arrests are the latest in a series of investigations into highly organised groups who believe they’re operating below the radar across Manchester. "Teams of detectives are working around the clock to crack down on the criminal networks who endeavour to make some quick cash at the expense of public safety.