Drugs, crossbow and baseball bats seized in raid

A crossbow, 13 baseball bats, a hockey stick and seven knuckle dusters were seized

A crossbow, 13 baseball bats and seven knuckle dusters were found by police who raided a business unit in Greater Manchester.

Officers seized the weapons along with 291 large nitrous oxide canisters - which are class C drugs - at the address on Dane Street in Rochdale.

Seven mobile phones, which police believe are "burner phones" intended for anonymous use, were also found with ballistic body armour and drugs paraphernalia.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were working to trace the owner of the business and their associates.

The items will "undergo forensic examination", GMP said.

'Act decisively'

Sgt Daniel Shirazi said: "This operation demonstrates just how effective warrants are in disrupting criminal activity.

"By acting on intelligence and executing targeted searches, we can remove harmful substances and dangerous weapons from circulation before they can be used to cause harm.

"Public safety is our priority, and we will continue to act decisively against those who pose a risk to our communities."

The search warrant was issued as part of an intelligence-led operation after research into the premises, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, police said.