Operation Rescind

Greater Manchester Police's Oldham Division have today (30/3/11) conducted a major operation to target drug dealing in Oldham.

Officers from Oldham's neighbourhood policing teams launched the operation, codenamed Operation Rescind, as their response to concerns the community had that drug dealing was a problem and, in turn, increasing crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.

The raids come after three months of investigations by officers from the Oldham division and Serious Crime Division into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine.

More than 100 officers were involved in the raids and included officers from the neighbourhood policing teams, Serious Crime Division, tactical aid units and dog handlers.

Extra officers from the Oldham West Neighbourhood Policing Team will be patrolling the area for today and the next few days to provide a visible presence and reassurance to the community.

Chief Superintendent Tim Forber, from Greater Manchester Police's Oldham Division, said: "Residents spoke to us and voiced their concerns that class A drug dealing was causing them a problem so we have responded robustly to combat this.

"Drugs wreck lives and the crime associated with them causes misery to the whole community - so we do everything possible to find out who is responsible and put them before the courts.

"These arrests are the culmination of hundreds of hours of work by officers and we have used divisional and force resources to gather the intelligence we needed to take this action. It is not a quick process and we thank the community for their patience while we have been building the strongest case possible."

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their community is asked to call officers on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

For more information about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.

http://www.gmp.police.uk

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• Rescind
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