Rochdale officers recover power tools in raids, and aim to reunite them with their owners

Over 150 power tools have been recovered following a series of raids in and around Rochdale. Now, officers are working to get them back to their owners.

Over the last six weeks, the Rochdale Neighbourhood Task Force gathered intelligence, and executed a number of search warrants at addresses across North Manchester and Rochdale, in relation to Operation Barracuda, which is dedicated to tackling vehicle and tool theft.

During the most recent warrant, conducted on Wednesday 5 May at an address on Chapel Lane, Manchester, 156 power tools and accessories were found and recovered.

A 52 year old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and released under investigation.

The tools recovered are believed to have been stolen from all around Greater Manchester, and officers are now working to return them to their rightful owners, and get them back into the hands of tradesmen and women where they below. Several have already been identified, however many unfortunately have no identifying or distinguishing features.

In order to try and identify the rest, The Rochdale Neighbourhood Task Force will hold open day at Rochdale police station on Saturday 22 May between 10am and 3pm, and are encouraging anyone who has had tools stolen from works vans or their home to come and check if any of the tools belong to them.

Victims will need to bring any crime or reference number they have, as well as identification, and will also need to provide a statement declaring the ownership of the property and the circumstances of its loss.

Police Constable Matthew Cassidy who led this operation, said: "We are very pleased with this latest result, as disrupting the handlers of stolen property is just as important as catching the thieves. 

"This can have greater long term effects as we remove a source of income for these criminal gangs. 

"The financial effects on victims of tool theft can be devastating made so much worse by the Covid Pandemic. Those who Buy and sell stolen goods will be pursued and brought to justice.

"We often rely on intelligence supplied by members of the public, and we continue to ask our communities to report suspicious behaviour and submit information either via LiveChat on our website www.gmp.police.uk  or call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

"If you tell us, we can do something about it."