17 of ‘most wanted’ are held in raids

SEVENTEEN people have been arrested in one day after a crackdown by police on some of Swansea’s “most wanted suspects”.

Suspected thieves, burglars, drug dealers and violent individuals were among those taken into custody on Wednesday as part of South Wales Police’s Operation Pheasant.

The operation focuses on crime in the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas.

The latest day of action of saw arrests made in relation to domestic assaults, commercial burglary, theft of motor vehicles, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of Class A drugs, theft, public order and failure to appear warrants.

South Wales Police has said that officers will continue to target people who carry out criminal activities in the Swansea area, and that the public should feel reassured regarding the action taken.

“The day of action ran in addition to normal daily business, and was successful in getting a number of people through the doors of Swansea Central police station,” said inspector Donna Llewellyn.

“I hope that days such as this help to reassure the public that we will be relentless in apprehending those who break the law.

“While certain crimes do demand more resourcing and priority, the variety of offences for which suspects were arrested demonstrates that we remain committed to tackling all crimes and doing all we can to ensuring our local communities are kept safe.

“This operation was not a one-off and our officers will continue to target, and bring to justice, those whose criminal activities blight the lives of communities across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.”

Of the 17 people arrested, seven have been charged, one has been remanded in custody, three have been released on bail, three have been released under investigation and one has been released with no further action. One person received a caution and another received a fixed penalty notice.