Arsenal of weapons taken off streets along with more than £700k of drugs
380 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN ONE MONTH
TIP-OFFS from the public have helped police smash in doors and seize large hauls of drugs.
Many residents have also thanked police for wiping out drug dens which blighted their streets and prevented kids from playing outside.
A total of more than £700,000 worth of drugs were seized by police and 380 people arrested in one month, said the commander in charge of Humberside Police Operation Galaxy, Chief Superintendent Darren Downs.
Zombie knives, axes, knuckle dusters, baseball bats, and a range of other knives were among the arsenal of 34 weapons that were seized by police during 37 warrants on homes in the northern Lincolnshire and the rest of the Humberside Police area in December.
Announcing the latest successes, Chief Superintendent Downs said the gratitude from members of the public giving their thanks to police in their streets had fueled pride in their communities.
In one warrant a member of the public had reported to police a nui
I don’t think some people understand we are in a pandemic because of the chaotic lives they lead. Sadly they are oblivious to it and become involved in the distribution of drugs and violence.
Chief Superintendent Darren Downs
sance smell coming from a property. Officers searched the unoccupied address, discovering a massive haul of cannabis. While inside officers spotted two individuals approaching and answered the door to them. They were later arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.
In Lovett Street, Cleethorpes, residents personally thanked police for
closing down a drugs den that had up to 40 people queuing outside after a delivery of drugs.
Police faced a barricade during the raid where they arrested two people during one of a series of raids in October. A closure order was imposed on the notorious terraced house. Chief Superintendent Downs of Humberside Police said his team had come to the end of the last week of intensive action as a part of Operation Galaxy.
“One of the biggest pleasures is receiving praise from members of the public. The support they have given us has been fantastic and we have acted and they have praised us, which in turn fuels the pride everyone has in their communities and the Force,” he said.
He added: “I want to express my pride in my staff and those across the Force who have gone out on the streets in the face of this pandemic setting aside the risk to themselves in order to help their communities.” From the total of 380 arrests in December, 310 charges were laid. Those arrested are suspected to be involved in a wide range of offences, including:
■ Drug-related offences
■ Child sex offences
■ Domestic abuse
■ Assault and Grievous bodily harm
■ Burglary and theft
■ Possession of an offensive weapon
■ Driving related offences Among those due before the courts for a range of offences of including criminal damage, theft and drink driving are:
■ Callum Byrnes, 31, of Southland
Court, Grimsby is bailed to appear before Grimsby Magistrates Court on March 9, charged with Section 4 of the Public Order Act
■ Ashley Burrell, 29, of Lord Street, Grimsby is bailed to appear before Grimsby Magistrates Court on March 9, charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a class A drug
■ Matthew Boulter, 32, of Ainslie Street, Grimsby is bailed to appear before Grimsby Magistrates Court on March 9, charged with criminal damage
■ A 15-year-old Scunthorpe boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded to appear before Grimsby Youth Court on January 8, charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent
■ Shaun Eaton, 23, of Rutland Street, Grimsby, was detained to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on December 31, charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and theft.
Operation Galaxy together with the Neighbourhood policing teams have worked tirelessly across the Force. The Neighbourhood Teams are a crucial part of the operation conducting high visibility patrols, offering help and reassurance to communities and acting on any information that could result in disrupting any type of criminality. Chief Superintendent Downs said: “I don’t think some people understand we are in a pandemic because of the chaotic lives they lead. Sadly they are oblivious to it and become involved in the distribution of drugs and violence.”
He added: “At the start of the lockdown in March there were less people on the roads and at work so criminal activity became more noticeable. Shop lifting and burglary and other crimes became more problematic for criminals to commit. But that resulted in more sheds and garage break-ins and more vehicle crime with people stealing from vehicles more than before. So I would renew our crime prevention message to protect property and even if you are out in the garden make sure the garage door is not open and keep car keys hidden away.”
He said police had conducted close to 1 ,000 drink and drive tests in order to rid danger from the roads. There had been an increased trend in people drinking more at home and then driving in the morning still under the influence.
Anyone with information about crime in their neighbourhood was urged to call the Humberside Police non-emergency 101 line to report it. It can also be reported anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.