Six arrested after Rochdale child exploitation investigation

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) executed warrants this morning, after safeguarding concerns were raised when officers identified a teenage boy who was being exploited and coerced into drug dealing by a suspected local gang.

The suspected gang members, aged 18 to 26, have been arrested by the force on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and modern slavery offences.

One of the six men being loaded into the back of a police van this morning (Image: GMP)

More victims were identified by the division's organised crime team, including a vulnerable adult whose house was being cuckooed and used as a stash house for the alleged gang.

As well as the arrests, the morning raids saw £30,000 of cash seized by the force along with cannabis and drugs paraphernalia.

Sergeant Mark Lutkevitch, of GMP's Rochdale challenger team, said: “Exploitation, coercion, and violence are the foundations of modern slavery and drugs trafficking, and gangs will often exploit the vulnerable to further their profits.

Officers queue up as they raid a property in Rochdale (Image: GMP)

"Our arrests this morning are part of a longstanding investigation into several organised crime groups operating across Rochdale that we strongly believe are involved in the exploitation of young people.

“Young people and vulnerable adults will be threatened as the criminals exert control, which is why tackling exploitation is a high priority for us."

He continued: "We have specialist officers working with young people in our communities to tackle the vicious cycle of gang recruitment, and teams of officers on the frontline pursuing offenders.

A suspected gang member being escorted by police (Image: GMP)

“Our communities are key in helping us be one step ahead of the criminals. By being our eyes and our ears and finding the courage to report what is taking place in your area, only strengthens our relentless pursuit of organised crime and could make a real difference for a child.

“I want to encourage communities to trust their instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, report it. If you think somebody is being exploited, or you think a house might have been taken over by drug dealers, feed that information to us."

Residents with information should contact GMP on 101 or alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.