Seven people have been arrested in Salford following a police operation into what officers describe as a coordinated national plot to target high-end retail stores.

The arrests were made on Sunday afternoon (19 April 2026) as part of a joint investigation between Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Officers detained one man and six women on suspicion of conspiracy to steal. All seven remain in custody for questioning.

Police say the group is believed to have been training in Salford for non-violent direct action, allegedly as part of a wider campaign involving mass shoplifting. The suspected plan involved targeting high-value retail outlets and major supermarkets across the country, with stolen goods intended to be redistributed elsewhere.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said the arrests mark a significant step in disrupting organised criminal activity.

“This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high-value retail stores,” she said.

“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.

“We take a strong stance against targeted criminality such as this and I would like to thank our Metropolitan Police colleagues for their assistance.”

Investigations are ongoing.