FOUR men have been arrested today in a series of dawn raids as police swooped on a gang suspected of stealing from schools across the north west.

They also searched a shop in Tonge Moor Road that they believe may be connected to the investigation.

Detectives had drawn up a hit list of seven men they believe to be involved in a conspiracy to burgle schools in Bolton and further afield.

They focused on 12 break-ins, including several in Bolton, but have now expanded their inquiries to 26 burglaries at schools, social clubs and commercial premises.

After weeks of gathering intelligence, including some obtained as a result of coverage in The Bolton News, officers moved in on the gang at 6am today.

Four men, aged 25, 25, 29 and 37, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Police made arrests after raiding houses in Scowcroft Road, Tonge Moor, Broad Oak Road, Farnworth and Pear Tree Grove, Farnworth.

The fourth man, who is from Breightmet, was arrested later after he handed himself in at a police station.

After the arrests, detectives searched AutoWorld, a car and mobile phone parts business in Tonge Moor Road.

Police said nothing relevant to the investigation was found, but laptops and iPads linked to schools have been found on previous raids at the shop.

Two of the seven men on the police's list of suspects are already in custody for other matters, while one is still being hunted.

Last week, an underwater search team dredged the River Tonge, where they found a safe that police think may be related to the inquiry.

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden, head of the serious and organised crime unit in Bolton, said: "The positive action we have taken today is the first phase in a complex investigation into a conspiracy to burgle a large number of schools and social clubs across Greater Manchester.

"The assistance we have had from the public has been significant, as residents realise the harm that those responsible are doing to our local communities who don't want their children's education affected.

"These burglaries have also made those responsible significant amounts of money from the sale of stolen school property, some of which contains pupils' exam work."

A crack team of detectives was assembled in March, led by the serious and organised crime unit in Bolton, to investigate under the codename Operation Anglesey.

Detectives had linked several break-ins with common characteristics, in which burglars first disabled the alarm system and then returned to break in.

Among the schools police think have been targeted are Horwich Parish Primary — twice — Mytham Road Primary in Little Lever, and Washacre Primary in Westhoughton.

The latter had £4,000 stolen from a safe, weeks after it was awarded a grant of cash that police had seized from criminals.

Two men, aged 25 and 29, who are among the seven being investigated by police, had already been arrested in connection with a break-in at Tottington Primary School in Bury.

Break-ins at Peel Hall Primary School in Little Hulton and Westhoughton Conservative Club are also being linked.

Police also suspect the same gang burgled St Mary's Primary School in Radcliffe on May 11, when a safe containing cheques and about £1,000 in cash was stolen.

The school's headteacher Paul Heaton said: "I am very impressed that the police have followed through on this so quickly.

"There is more harm done when thieves hit a school.

"We don't seek to live behind closed doors but that trust gets really dented when things like this happen.

"I would say to those responsible, 'come and talk to the children and see the upset you caused'."

Police chiefs decided that the spate of break-ins was a force priority because of the impact on childrens' education.

Officers are taking part in crime prevention work with schools and giving advice to teachers and staff.

It is possible that other break-ins not central to the inquiry were committed by the same Bolton gang, police believe.

Three of the men arrested have been bailed, while one is still in custody for questioning.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565758 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

The Bolton News:

A close up of a mark on the safe that was found in the River Tonge. Police hope someone will recognise it and claim it.