A man has been arrested and illegal cigarettes and “laughing gas” were seized after a police operation targeting “drug hotspots” today.

The operation was carried out across the Daubhill and Over Hulton areas, with the man arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife.

Officers also gave out a warning for the possession of cannabis and seized both illegal cigarettes and nitrous oxide, known as “laughing gas”, over the course of the operation.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The Rumworth Neighbourhood Team have been proactively targeting hot spot locations for drug dealing.

“This resulted in cannabis warnings being issued, one male arrested for possession of a bladed article and a large amount of illegal cigarettes and nitrous oxide seized.”

Police have released an image of the cigarettes and nitrous oxide cannisters they seized while carrying out their operation.

Operations like this across areas of concerns or targeting specific kinds of crime are often carried out by police at various times throughout the year.

Anyone with any concerns about drug or contraband related crime in their areas or about crime and anti-social behaviour more broadly can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.