Officers seize £16k of drugs and arrest 30 in raids
OPERATION TARGETS DRUG DEALERS
POLICE have seized £16,000 of drugs and made more than 30 arrests in a series of raids to tackle drug dealing and crime in an East Yorkshire town.
Operation Gatehouse has seen officers from the Bridlington Neighbourhood Policing Team join forces with detectives and officers from Operation Galaxy to tackle drug dealing and associated crime.
They have gathered intelligence and information, which led to 15 raids on properties and 30 people being arrested since May 2021, reducing crime in the town by 35 per cent.
Inspector Hussain, the local Neighbourhood Police Inspector for the area, said: “Since May we have not only arrested 30 people, but we have make a significant impact on the supply of drugs in Bridlington.
“Drugs not only wreck the lives of those who supply and use them but also have a huge impact on local crime.
“This operation has had a direct positive impact and seen crime reduce in Bridlington by 35 per cent since May this year. Locally we have seized more than £16,000 worth of drugs, £15,000 worth of cash and 28 cars.
“The warrants served at addresses across the town have not only resulted in 30 arrests. The warrants are not only reaping rewards by way of seizing cash and drugs but also sends a very strong message to anyone who feels that they can operate drug dealing in our town.
“If you are a criminal operating in our local area, our officers will work tirelessly to target you and bring you to justice to ensure you stop committing crime.”
The operation has had support from the British Transport Police (BTP), the East Riding Council, local councillors and local residents.
Inspector Hussain said: “Over the summer officers have conducted a number of joint operations with BTP.
“We know that travelling criminal gangs use the rail network to get young people to transport drugs across the country. This type of operation often exploits young and vulnerable people – coerced into a life of crime through drugs gangs controlling them.
“Five of these joint operations have been carried out and have been extremely successful in making sure drug supplies are disrupted and to help those young people to break free from a life of crime.”
Operation Gatehouse will continue to operate in Bridlington and several further warrants are already said to be in the planning stages.
Inspector Hussain said: “Our community plays a huge part in making Bridlington a safe and wonderful place to live and work. I want to make sure they know they can come to us at any time with any suspicions they have about any type of criminal activity in their neighbourhoods.
“I am passionate about having a really positive impact on the crime in Bridlington. Together we can continue to take action against those in the minority who want to disrupt other people’s lives and commit crime in our community.”