CHRISTMAS could be cancelled for a suspected drug dealer after police carried out a string of raids across Halliwell this morning.

Officers seized £3,000 in cash and nearly £500 of cannabis from a house in Arnold Street after breaking its door down at about 8am.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the supply of cannabis and taken away in a police van.

Two other men were arrested in a Day of Action in Halliwell, which is part of Operation Spartan, a crackdown on drug dealing and burglary in Halliwell and Crompton.

Police say the action, which involved work with Trading Standards, Immigration, Bolton at Home and the fire service, was the result of two months of hard work.

Operation Spartan has so far seen 20 people arrested in relation to crime in Halliwell and Crompton since it began in October.

Sgt Jon Seeds said: "I am really pleased with the work today which has been almost a showcase of the hard work that has been going on for the last two months.

"This was about bringing the partners together and being more overt about our work.

"We believe this has significantly disrupted offending in Halliwell and this has been about more than just one day, but about the last two months.

Police crawled through a hole they battered into the front door of the Arnold Street house, which had a large Christmas tree in the window.

They scoured the property and the VW Golf parked outside for drugs.

By 9am the man had been escorted out of the terraced house, as police bagged up the cannabis and cash found.

Elsewhere, a man in his mid-30s was arrested in Halliwell on suspicion of being in the UK illegally.

A 43-year-old man was arrested in Higher Bridge Street, Halliwell in relation to a theft.

Operation Spartan began at the beginning of October and aims to tackle those responsible for burglaries and vehicle crime using a number of policing tactics.

Sgt Seeds added: "The community support officers have been supporting those most vulnerable, visiting their homes conducting crime prevention surveys and advising the house holder how to make their homes and personal possessions safe.

"The simple message is that statistics show that getting into a routine of locking up and making their homes and vehicles secure would prevent a high percentage of crime in the area."

The Day of Action also saw police increased patrols, with the Operation Spartan arrests relating to burglaries, vehicle crime , handling stolen goods and drug dealing.

Operation Spartan continues and anyone with information of criminality in Halliwell should ring police on 0161 8565761.