Six arrested in Rochdale child exploitation investigation

• Six men aged 18 - 26 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and modern slavery offences.
• £30k cash seized.
• Crucial activity forms part of ongoing investigation into child criminal exploitation in Rochdale. 

In response to safeguarding concerns identified by our Rochdale organised crime team, we’ve executed eight warrants this morning and locked up six suspected gang members.

We identified a teenage boy who was being exploited and coerced into drug dealing by a suspected local gang. With immediate safeguarding measures put in place, we were able to pursue those responsible

As the investigation developed, we identified further victims, including a vulnerable adult whose house was being cuckooed and used as a stash house for the gang.

This morning, we’ve arrested six men aged 18 - 26 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and modern slavery offences.

£30,000 cash has been seized along with cannabis and drugs paraphernalia.

Today’s activity is a key example of partnership work and effective information sharing. It’s enabled us to identify crucial members of a suspected organised crime group, but most importantly, we’ve been able to safeguard several children and vulnerable adults. 

Sergeant Mark Lutkevitch from our Rochdale Challenger team said: “Exploitation, coercion, and violence are the foundations of modern slavery and drugs trafficking, and gangs will often exploit the vulnerable to further their profits. Our arrests this morning are part of a longstanding investigation into several organised crime groups operating across Rochdale that we strongly believe are involved in the exploitation of young people.

“Young people and vulnerable adults will be threatened as the criminals exert control, which is why tackling exploitation is a high priority for us. We have specialist officers working with young people in our communities to tackle the vicious cycle of gang recruitment, and teams of officers on the frontline pursuing offenders.

“Our communities are key in helping us be one step ahead of the criminals. By being our eyes and our ears and finding the courage to report what is taking place in your area only strengthens our relentless pursuit of organised crime and could make a real difference for a child.

“I want to encourage communities to trust their instinct. If something doesn’t feel right; report it. If you think somebody is being exploited, or you think a house might have been taken over by drug dealers, feed that information to us. If you want to remain anonymous, report it through Crimestoppers, and we will act.”

Information can be shared by calling 101. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.