Greater Manchester police officer refers to Winston Churchill and leading suffragette ahead of operation in Oldham

Greater Manchester Police have issued a video referencing the efforts of Winston Churchill and a leading suffragette ahead of the launch of a major operation in Oldham.

Operation Avro - a police initiative tackling crimes which have been reported by local residents - is running across every borough of the region each month.

Standing outside the Annie Kenney statue at Oldham Town Hall, Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen referenced the famed suffragette and former war-time Prime Minister ahead of today's operation.

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In a video released on the force's Twitter, the Supt said: "So as I stand here today, near the spot where Winston Churchill made his first speech as an MP in 1900 looking at the statue of Annie Kenney today we write another day in Oldham's history.

"Today is the day we take the fight back to the criminal and Op Avro lands in Oldham. By the time you watch this video numerous warrants will have been executed.

"Those warrants will have been executed on information and intelligence provided by you the good people of Oldham. If you log in later today I'll give you updated on the progress but for now, rest assured the full might of Greater Manchester Police is here in Oldham today, taking the fight back to the criminals."

As of 8am this morning (31 March) Greater Manchester Police confirmed 30 arrests had been made after raids were carried out at an address on Huddersfield Road.

So far, crackdown days have been held in Salford, Trafford, Manchester and now Stockport. Last month, the force made thirty arrests in Tameside after seizing cash, drugs and vehicles during Operation Avro.

Almost 200 officers including specialist units, descended on the