Greater Manchester Police arrest five in planning corruption probe

Greater Manchester Police arrested five men today (31 January) as part of an investigation into alleged corruption over a planning application.

Officers from GMP's Serious Crime Division executed warrants at addresses in Altrincham, Kersal, Didsbury and Bacup, Lancashire.

The five men, who are aged between 45 and 69, were arrested on suspicion of corruption in a public office.

The GMP said the arrests were the result of an intelligence-led operation launched in June 2011 into allegations that two councillors at Bury Council accepted bribes in relation to a planning application.

As part of the operation, officers have seized a number of computers and documents from Bury Town Hall and a business premises in Moston.

The arrested men are currently being interviewed in police custody, the GMP said.

Bury divisional commander Chief Superintendent Jon Rush said: "I recognise this operation will cause some disruption at the council. However, the council is cooperating with the investigation and we intend to keep disruption to a minimum."