POLICE closed in on Bolton criminals believed to be behind a spate of armed robberies in a series of morning raids today.

A 24-year-old man was arrested at a house in Greenmount Lane, Heaton on suspicion of robbing Aldi in Trinity Street on June 29.

Detectives searched six houses in the town this morning in the early morning warrants in Heaton, Tonge Moor, Hall i'th Wood and Farnworth.

They were looking for evidence related to the Aldi robbery, and ones at H&T Pawnbrokers on July 3 and Asda in St Helens Road on July 10.

A fourth robbery, at Cash Converters in Deansgate, on June 9, which saw robbers on motorbikes steal jewellery like at the pawnbrokers, also forms part of the inquiry.

A 28-year-old man, from Salford, has been arrested on suspicion of the Asda robbery, and is currently on bail, which he is due to answer on July 30. 

The widespread investigation is focused on a large group of well-known Bolton criminals.

Officers had drawn up a hitlist of five suspects to visit this morning, with all linked to some of the robberies by recently acquired intelligence. 

The suspects identified are known associates of each other, so detectives believe there is a link between the robberies, although they may not have been carried out by the same people. 

Bolton police have also assisted with the investigation into an armed robbery at a Blackburn jewellers on Monday, with four Bolton men and a man from Wigan arrested in connection with that raid.

They are also associates of the suspects linked to the Bolton robberies. 

Det Insp Sarah May, lead of the operation, said: "This was a very successful operation and is really just the start of a long investigation.

"Hopefully the people of Bolton are reassured by this action."

Police will analyse mobile phones and property seized in the house searches for more evidence, and were set to interview the Heaton man arrested. 

Yasmin Qureshi, the Labour MP for Bolton South East, accompanied the officers on a raid in Pear Tree Drive in Farnworth. 

No arrests were made there but the house was searched. 

Police said they have worked closely with cash-in-transit companies and private businesses to improve security and reduce the chance of attack.

Supt Andrea Jones said: “The recent robberies have been quite high-profile and I know they have caused a lot of concern in the business community but I want to assure everybody that we are doing all we can to prevent further incidents of this nature happening.

“As well as today’s warrants, we have been working closely with cash in transit companies and private businesses to improve their security and reduce the chance of attack.

“We have also been strengthening links and working with colleagues from Lancashire Constabulary and recently assisted them in the arrest of five Bolton men on suspicion of a robbery offence in Blackburn.

“Today’s warrants have been largely intelligence led and I would like to thank the people of Bolton for their vigilance and for coming forward to report suspicious activity in the area.”

Ms Qureshi had met with Supt Jones and deputy police and crime commissioner Jim Battle, to ask searching questions about the three armed robberies committed in the last fortnight. 

The Labour MP said: "I can reassure the people of Bolton that police are relentlessly pursuing these criminals who have violently raided business premises over the last couple of weeks.

“On behalf of my concerned constituents, I’ve asked a number of questions and the police have been forthcoming with answers."