A HUGE police operation has resulted in seven people being arrested at a Bolton caravan park.

Police swooped at the Crompton Lodge Caravan Park in Hall Lane at around 7am today.

Officers from GMP’s Bolton District executed seven warrants at the site as part of a crackdown on burglaries across Greater Manchester.

Five men aged 36, 29, 25, 56 and 56, and a 22-year-old woman, were arrested for burglary, theft and robbery offences.

A sixth man, aged 53, was arrested on suspicion of theft.

Speaking after the arrest had been made, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Bridge, of GMP Bolton, said: “Today’s operation targeted addresses we believe are linked to a number of burglaries that have affected homeowners and businesses in Greater Manchester.

“I want to thank our local communities, as without them working with us and reporting concerns to police, we couldn’t have been able to carry out such an extensive operation.

“We now have seven people in custody as a result of the hard work of our dedicated officers, together with the support of our partner agencies.”

The co-ordinated action involved support GMP’s Special Operations Branch Ops Branch and officers from other policing districts, alongside partner agencies, including Bolton Council and British Transport Police.

It was part of an ongoing operation led by GMP’s Bolton following a number of burglaries committed in Bolton, Bury, Wigan and Salford which targeted residential and takeaway properties.

A 29-year-old man, who witnessed the operation said: "I was shocked as I walked by. I have never seen a raid like they have done. There were that many police cars."

In addition to police vans and cars, there were three dog units and two car pick-up trucks parked on Hall Lane.

Two recently discarded car registration plates were found at the entrance to the park, which police had sealed off.

The council’s registered caravan park is a a site where gypsies and travellers can reside on a permanent basis under a tenancy agreement. The site can accommodate up to 26 families.

DCI Hall said: “The work doesn’t stop here and I would continue to urge people to report any suspicious activity to police so that we can stop criminals benefitting from crime.

“If you have information about crime affecting your community, then report it to police.”

Information can be left with police on 101 or by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.