Around 50 police officers raided five properties on Hopwood Street in Pendlebury, Salford, on August 20 as part of a crackdown on suspected drug crime. The operation began at a Salford police station just after 5am, when tactical aid and neighbourhood officers travelled in a convoy of vans under heavy rain to the residential street.
Arriving just after 5.30am, officers in helmets and riot shields positioned themselves at every other door. After several loud knocks, four electric saws sliced through four front doors, which were then smashed through. Subsequent searches of the properties revealed a quantity of cash, heroin, and suspected cocaine.
Flats Built as Move-On Accommodation
The buildings at the centre of the raids are barely two years old. Built by PLP Construction for housing association YourHousing in July 2024, the row of eight flats is described as 'primarily move-on accommodation' for homeless people living in Salford. Greater Manchester Police believe some of these flats have become a local hub for criminal activity, including suspected drug dealing on a local line in Swinton and Salford, cuckooing, and modern slavery.
Several 'distinctive' items found at one address, including an expensive and new looking bike, appeared to match items allegedly stolen in a recent local burglary, officers said.
Six Arrested on Multiple Offences
In total, six people were arrested on the morning. Among the suspected offences were possession of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply, possession of an offensive weapon, burglary, and failing to appear in court.
Lee Gridley, Chief Inspector for Salford's Neighbourhood Team, said the warrants were 'months' in the making and largely based on community intelligence, which he said played a 'massive role'. He said he hoped the raids would 'take down' a local drugs line and disrupt the supply of drugs in Salford. 'Unfortunately those that take drugs may well find other opportunities to find them,' he said. 'All we can ask is that communities continue to provide us information. We will act robustly to target it.'
Police Urge Community to Share Information
The Chief Inspector said this raid was 'one of a handful' of times in his 25-year policing career that so many warrants were executed 'in such close proximity'. 'We have to work out who is involved and what their level of criminality is,' he told reporters. 'People like this are preyed on by others. That isn't lost on us. These may well be vulnerable in their own right and we will investigate this. Modern slavery and cuckooing is always at the forefront of our minds with any drug investigation.'
He added: 'I'm very proud of my officers, we have acted impeccably and caused minimal disruption. To local communities, please give us information, whether it's anonymously, through housing or social services. Provide us information and we will act on it.'
