Mobile phones are very desirable items, says Det Insp Steve Leonard

Hundreds of mobile phones were seized in a crackdown on thefts, with 12 confirmed as being stolen, Greater Manchester police said.

The initiative is to tackle a predicted increase in the number of robberies in January - offences can increase by up to 30% at this time of year.

The men have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Those arrested were a 39-year-old man from Stockport, a 34-year-old man from Burnage, a man aged 29 from Longsight and a 19-year-old man from Moss Side.

Det Insp Steve Leonard, from the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit, said: "Robbery is a very big problem across the country and mobile phones are very desirable item taken in robberies.

"That's why we do target mobile phones, so we can hopefully solve other offences, of robbery, hijacking and other serious matters."

Officers also undertook checks on public transport in robbery hotspot areas to target offenders.