Police operation is now bringing success

Monklands police have hailed the impact of an operation designed to target offenders “who cause the most harm in our communities”.

The Lanarkshire-wide Operation Forward campaign has already resulted in “several arrests” across Airdrie and Coatbridge.

These included arrests relating to possession of drugs, bail breaches, driving offences, “commercial vehicle crime”, knife possession and an alleged assault on a 36-year-old man from Bargeddie.

Inspector Louise Brownlie, of Coatbridge police, said: “Operation Forward is a Lanarkshire-wide policing operation targeting the offenders who cause most harm in our communities.

“Thus far the operation has resulted in several offenders being arrested and charged and items being removed from the vulnerable and those who intend to cause harm.”

The new local policing commander for Lanarkshire Division, Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell, added: “The focus of Operation Forward is upon reducing harm, and to do so, we will be actively targeting those who commit violence, deal drugs, or break into people’s homes.

“Anyone involved in such activity should expect to see my officers in the coming days and weeks. These types of crimes have a real impact on people and we are determined to do all we can to reduce the instances.

“We would be very keen to hear from any local residents who have any particular concerns in their area to contact police to highlight these.

“Working together with our communities is incredibly important for Lanarkshire Division.”

successful campaign Inspector Brownlie has revealed several offenders have been arrested and charged