More than 50 arrested and huge cannabis farm found after police raids across Greater Manchester borough

More than 50 people were arrested as part of a crime crackdown in Stockport. Officers carried out dawn raids in Cheadle, Heald Green and Marple on Thursday (February 8) as part of a day of action. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they uncovered 'large amounts of drugs and cash.'

They also uncovered a cannabis farm with over 900 plants in Heaton Norris. It was part of Operation AVRO, a forcewide iniative where a particular area of the region is flooded with police resources each month.

A total of 55 people were arrested for a range of offences including burglary, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, breaches of a court order and sex offender registration, as well as possession of offensive weapons.

Join our FREE Manchester Crime and Court WhatsApp group by clicking here

A traffic operation in Cheadle Heath, where vehicles were stopped at the car park of the Go Outdoors store, resulted in a total of 44 offences being recorded, for 33 alleged traffic offences, 11 speeding offences.

Six prohibition notices, which can be issued to take defective or faulty vehicles off the road, were issued. Whilst five were seized and two people arrested.

Stockport Council's Trading Standards, who deployed with the local Neighbourhood Team, seized £45,000 worth of illegal vapes.

The mounted unit patrolled in Brinnington and Stockport town centre during the day. In the afternoon, Operation Rimini - a dedicated response to tackling reports of various offences in Stockport town centre including theft, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour - patrolled Stockport town centre.

Detective Rick Arthern, of GMP’s Stockport District, said: “We’ve had a hugely successful Operation AVRO in Stockport, with a total of 55 arrests for