Rochdale's festive blitz on crime sees 22 charged after door-a-day targeted this advent

Officers taking the fight back to the criminals of Rochdale have surpassed their target of opening a door a day in the town during the build-up to Christmas by executing 30 warrants and making as many arrests.

The division's District Intelligence Unit (DIU) got into the festive spirit this advent by identifying the doors of at least 25 suspects they wanted to bring to custody before 25 December as part of Operation Advent.

And, on the eve of the big day, officers have already surpassed their target by bringing 30 people into custody on suspicion of a range of offences - including domestic violence, burglary, rape, wounding with intent, production of cannabis, and armed robbery.

At the scene of one arrest, an imitation firearm believed to have been used at an armed robbery was seized and at another, a significant amount of cash was found under a suspect's bed.

Twenty-two men have subsequently been charged as a result of the month-long offensive, with a further two men taken back to custody after being found wanted on recall to prison.

The impressive results don’t include action taken on day seven when 22 people were arrested by the Rochdale Challenger team as part of a huge operation - codenamed Chicago - to tackle organised crime in the town; 20 people have since been charged with nine suspects already appearing in court this month.

Sergeant Gaz Davies, of GMP Rochdale's District Intelligence Unit, said: "Going into December we wanted to carry out a series of action that would really have an impact on the people that we suspect have brought misery on others throughout the year - and we've done just that.

"Importantly, though, it's also about doing whatever we can to protect our communities and I hope that the people of Rochdale feel as though their gift from us this Christmas has been our commitment to arrest and prosecute as many alleged criminals as we can as part of Operation Advent.

"I'd like to think that the enforcement activity we have taken this month can allow us to start the New Year where we've left off and continue to take the fight back to the criminals of Rochdale, while protecting our communities."

Anyone with information or concerns about crime in their area should contact police online, if able, or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.