SIXTY FIVE homes were raided throughout the North-west today in the biggest crime crackdown ever mounted by Greater Manchester Police.

A total of 500 police officers were involved in a commando-style dawn raid on houses throughout Greater Manchester including, Farnworth, Little Hulton, Walkden and Leigh.

A total of 53 people - 43 men and 10 women - were arrested and a massive haul of stolen property was recovered. The suspects were still being held at police stations throughout the county this afternoon after the raids. Stolen property worth £250,000 was recovered, including a trumpet and a cement mixer.

Drugs with a street value of £250,000 were seized including amphetamine, LSD, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.

A sawn-off shotgun, two pistols and an imitation gun were also recovered.

Det Supt David Brown of Salford Police said: "This is just the start. We will continue to target people involved in these types of crimes."

Some of those arrested are suspected of working together in organised gangs, while others are believed to be prolific criminals, working alone throughout Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside. The crackdown, codenamed Operation Victory, was mounted into crimes ranging from burglaries to drug dealing. The operation was based in Salford, where 51 addresses were raided.

Officers from Bolton joined the police squad as they swung into action with search warrants at 6am.

The crackdown was mounted after a year-long investigation involving undercover officers.

A police spokesman described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the battle against crime.

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