Suspected family-run crime gang targeted in raids

A series of dawn raids have "ripped a hole" in what was thought to be a family-run organised crime gang, making 21 arrests linked to drug dealing and modern slavery offences.

The police action was launched at 05:00 GMT, targeting homes in Salford, Manchester, Rochdale, Tameside, Bury, Wigan and Bolton along with raids in Merseyside and Wales later in the morning, Greater Manchester Police said.

Det Supt Joe Harrop said the use of children, some as young as 12, to sell drugs such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis for the gangs was a "stain on our communities".

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, who was among the officers joining the raids, said those involved in such offending "deserve everything that's coming to them".

Sir Stephen said the group were involved in criminality of "the highest level".

"Their method of operation is to exploit vulnerable people, young people and, frankly, simply to cast them off when they get caught, as people lower down the chain frequently are," he said.

Harrop, who heads force's serious organised crime unit, said the raids were an attempt to take down criminals "at every level" seeking to "dismantle" their hub.

The gang, which spanned several generations and had been operational for 10 years, were also suspected of being involved in money laundering and the "taxing", or robbing, of other gangs, police said.

Children recruited aren't "fully aware" of their roles working for such gangs, Harrop said, but often go on to "rise up the ranks", in turn recruiting more children.

Harrop also warned the public to be alert to the signs of potentially groomed children, which can include seeing them in possession of large amounts of cash and designer clothes.

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