FIVE people have been arrested after more than 30 mobile phones were recovered at the Warehouse Project, in Trafford Park.


On Wednesday, December 18, officers arrested five people at Victoria Warehouse, on Trafford Wharf Road, on suspicion of going equipped to steal as part of a joint ongoing operation to target phone theft.


The men, aged 18, 23, 25, 25 and 43, remain in police custody for questioning.
Police recovered 32 mobile phones which are believed to have been stolen from people attending the Warehouse Project.


PC Simon Collister, licensing officer at Greater Manchester Police, said: “We have been working closely with the Warehouse Project for some time and have implemented tactics aimed at reducing phone thefts.


“We have already seen significant reductions but will continue to work with venues to target criminals through operations such as this.


“Having said this, we would urge the public to remain vigilant. Keep phones out of view and don’t advertise them to thieves.”


Sacha Lord-Marchionne, managing director of the Warehouse Project, said: "Due to the national issue with current phone theft the Warehouse Project invested over £60,000 in an attempt to combat the issue.


“Working alongside Greater Manchester Police and Operation Network we are delighted to announce a successful season with practically zero phone thefts.


“Last night, the Warehouse Project were targeted by a team of criminals however our in house security team working alongside GMP managed to make five arrests and retrieved around 32 phones.


“I would like to personally thank the security team, Operation Network and PC Simon Collister for their help in combating this issue."


Anyone who believes their phone was stolen at the Warehouse Project on December 18 should call North Trafford Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team (INPT)on 0161 856 7655 or email TraffordNorth@gmp.police.uk.