Wakey, wakey! Police in riot gear smash gang linked to 120 robberies, car thefts and attacks in dawn raids Riot police raided seven properties in Oldham, Greater Manchester this morning Five men, aged between 22 and 30, were arrested and are being questioned They are being linked to 120 offences including violent disorder and robbery By Lara Keay For Mailonline Published: 10:05 BST, 16 May 2019 | Updated: 10:09 BST, 16 May 2019 Armed police smashed their way into seven properties this morning in a bid to bring down a gang linked to 120 violent offences. Dawn raids were carried out at seven locations in Oldham, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of today, with police in riot gear seen breaking down doors and windows. Officers arrested five men, aged between 22 and 38, who have been linked to a gang believed to be responsible for 120 crimes, including aggravated burglary, robbery, car theft, assault and violent disorder. Dawn raids were carried out at seven locations in Oldham, Greater Manchester today as part of a crackdown on an organised crime group believed to be behind 120 offences Officers arrested five men, aged between 22 and 38, who have been linked to a gang believed to be responsible for 120 crimes, including aggravated burglary, robbery, car theft, assault and violent disorder The officers were dressed head-to-toe in protective gear and armed with face guards and crow bars. They emerged dragging the five men into a police van before they were driven to a police station for questioning. Warrants to raid the properties were granted as part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Hansford, set up to target an organised crime group believed to be behind offences in Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire. The officers were dressed head-to-toe in protective gear and armed with face guards and crow bars to smash windows Armed police are pictured breaking in to a property in Oldham, Greater Manchester today Chief Superintendent Neil Evans, GMP's Territorial Commander for Oldham said: 'Today we have five people in custody and that is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in Oldham, who have worked tirelessly in order to disrupt this organised crime group. 'Today's action has been supported from officers across GMP; however I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues from West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire – all of whom have supported this investigation from the very outset. 'The importance of our investigation and the severity of the crimes committed should not be underestimated. Warrants to raid the properties were granted as part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Hansford 'Organised criminal activity destroys people's livelihoods and blights communities. 'I hope that today's action demonstrates to those who have been affected by such criminality just how dedicated we are in bringing those responsible to justice, as well as our absolute commitment to making the streets of Greater Manchester a safer place. 'I would also like to emphasise that Operation Hansford remains very much ongoing.' Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 Share or comment on this article: Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility