Cops claim success

First month of crackdown

A police operation cracking down on violent crime has made streets in Rutherglen and Cambuslang significantly safer over the past month.

Operation Forward was launched by police on October 22, targeting violent offenders, drug dealers and those causing trouble in neighbourhoods.

Inspector Bob Bryce of Rutherglen Police Office said the first month of the operation has yielded positive results across Lanarkshire.

In its first four weeks Operation Forward resulted in: 90 warrants executed 25 people detected for assaults 12 drink drivers arrested three people arrested for knife possession three drugs search warrants executed. Police also charged a Cambuslang man in connection with a series of historical incidents involving four women that span over 11 years.

The 40-year-old was arrested on November 16 and accused of targeting the women in Rutherglen and Cambuslang and committing sexual offences online and via telephone.

Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell, the new local policing commander for Lanarkshire, told the Reformer: “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.

“We are determined to do all we can to reduce the instances of this happening.”