A prison worker from Radcliffe has been arrested in connection with a probe into the supply of drugs and banned items.

Officers from the Regional Prison Anti-Corruption Unit based at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) turned up at HMP Manchester and arrested a female staff member.

The arrest was part of an investigation into the supply of drugs and prohibited articles into the Cheetham Hill prison.

A 29-year-old woman from Radcliffe has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and possession with intent to supply a class B drug.

She was taken to a police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Detective Inspector Kitchen from NWROCU said: "We can confirm that following a joint investigation between NWROCU, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s National Counter Corruption Team and HMP Manchester, a woman was arrested and temporarily suspended from duties”.

"We will not tolerate corruption or the supply of illegal items to prisoners and will continue to work closely in partnership to ensure anyone who breaks the strict rules in place in our prisons is brought to justice.”

“We would like to encourage members of staff working at prisons to report anyone they suspect are involved in corrupt activity, so that we can act on it immediately and put offenders before the courts."