Police swoop on homes in Greater Manchester after months-long crime spree across England

Officers swooped on addresses in Middleton, Oldham and Rochdale after the historic paving stones thefts

Three men were arrested in dawn swoops by police investigating the theft of historic York stones from eight church graveyards. A series of warrants were executed in Greater Manchester under the Cheshire Police operation.

Officers swooped on addresses in Middleton, Oldham and Rochdale. Three men - aged 48, 31 and 28 - were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit theft from eight church graveyards, Cheshire Police said.