Morning raids see three arrested over business robberies

Three young men from Tameside and Oldham were arrested during morning raids in connection with a number of business robberies in Oldham, Tameside and Stockport.

Greater Manchester Police's Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG) and Tameside district conducted the raids this morning (Thursday) and arrested the men - aged 19, 22 and 23 - on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. 

It follows six reported robberies by masked men at convenience stores since the coronavirus lockdown restrictions were implemented on March 23. 

Five of them are believed to have seen the men armed with a taser or other type of stun gun device.

Detective Inspector Joseph Harrop, of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: "Today’s action illustrates the hard work that has been taking place throughout the past few weeks to tackle those who wish to try and target essential shop workers at a time where we all have a duty to protect our key workers.

"We have, and will continue to, ensure that we take action in order to prevent serious and organised crime from not allowing lockdown to deter them from continuing to commit crimes and I hope the public are assured that we are constantly monitoring and confronting incidents of this nature seriously and robustly." 

The robberies took place at Denton Mini Market on March 30, Mini Market on Lees Street in Oldham on April 5, Oskars in Stockport on April 6, International Mini Market on Lees Road on April 7, Godley Off Licence in Hyde on April 10 and Victoria Stores in Dukinfield on April 17.