Wigan police chief vows to 'clamp down' on drugs as raids are carried out

Superintendent Mark Kenny, of Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP’s) Wigan District, welcomed as “positive”, the operation, which saw the men aged between 22 and 41 detained.

Warrants were executed at 18 different borough addresses across on Tuesday morning (March 16), including Abram, Bamfurlong and Ashton.

The men remain in custody for questioning.

The raids were led by officers from GMP’s Wigan district, Specialist Operations, Serious and Organised Crime Group and Challenger Teams from across the force.

Vowing to clamp down on drugs and the “hugely detrimental” impact they have on communities, Supt Kenny said there was no more of a problem in Wigan than anywhere else.

In an interview with the Wigan Post, he said: “I don’t think there’s more of an issue in areas such as Abram, Bamfurlong and Asthon. There is an issue with illegal drugs in a number of communities across Greater Manchester.

“We are aware of the illegal drugs supply and are very keen to stop it and protect the region.

“Drugs have a severe impact on the Wigan community and on people’s health.”

And Supt Kenny said the purpose of the raids was to make arrests rather than seize illegal substances.

However, he did say a “small quantity” of Class A and B drugs were recovered during the raids, although he could not say which substances these were as they needed to be tested.

He also said the investigation was “very focused, specific and standalone” in nature.

He said: “There were a small quantiy of Class A and B drugs seized during the raid at the properties.

“But the main focus of the investigation was on arrests and we don’t know what drugs were recovered as they need to be tested.

“This raid is part of an ongoing investigation in its own right.”

Supt Kenny went on to hail the operation as a success.

He said: “It’s positive that we’ve made ten arrests.

“This sends a very clear statement to people involved in the illegal drugs supply that we will take action.

“We are committed to continuing that work and to keeping the community of Wigan safe.”

The addresses targeted in Wigan were on the following roads: Bolton Road, Bamfurlong, Redland Court, Bamfurlong, Enid Place, Bamfurlong, Mains Avenue, Bamfurlong, Winstanley Road, Bamfurlong, Liverpool Road, Hindley, France Street, Hindley, Brookland Avenue, Hindley, Chestnut Road, Whelley, Bryn Road, Ashton, Landgate Lane, Wigan, Lime Street, Wigan, Ansford Avenue, Abram, Ashwood Avenue, Abram, Warrington Road, Abram, Vicarage Road, Abram, Egerton Street, Abram and Warrington Road, Abram.

Anyone who has concerns about drug dealing or crime where they live should report it to police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or give information via LiveChat by visiting GMP’s website.

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