Drug dealers and shoplifter arrested

Police in Coldhurst have stopped two offenders in their tracks after arresting them following tip-offs from members of the community.

Two drug dealers were caught by officers patrolling the area around Kirbank Street, close to Chadderton Way on Thursday, February 20, following reports of drug dealing and then noticing them behaving suspiciously.

As the officers from the Central Neighbourhood Team, Coldhurst and Westwood, approached the offenders in a vehicle, the driver drove off.  

The vehicle was then stopped by the team and both occupants were arrested for possession of Class B drugs, this included 12 snaps bags of cannabis on the driver which were stored in a carrier bag.  

The driver was later charged for this offence and is due to appear in court next month. 

In another incident, a prolific shoplifter was detained in B & Q on Wednesday, February 26, by store security.  

The man was recognised after entering the premises several times where goods were stolen at the Westhulme Way store.  

As he tried to steal several items again, he was stopped and later arrested by the police. He was subsequently charged and was  due to appear in court later today (Friday, February 28).  

PCSO Martin Smith said: “Don’t forget we can be contacted by your good selves if you have any information you want us to have, also we have the usual contact numbers for emergency and none emergency issues which are 999 & 101. 

“We also want to wish our Muslim community a happy start to Ramadan.”