16 arrested after police launch crime crackdown
OFF-ROAD BIKES CRUSHED AND DRUGS SEIZED IN RAIDS
POLICE have launched a crime crackdown across Middlesbrough which saw 16 arrested following a series of raids.
Operation Artemis kicked off on Thursday morning in a bid to target those who “cause misery” to communities on Teesside.
Officers smashed down the doors of properties to carry out drugs raids – with a huge number of off-road bikes also being crushed in a bid to clamp down on antisocial behaviour.
The initiative brings together force resources and regional partners each month in a different district – with Thursday’s day of action focused on Middlesbrough.
The operation involved Middlesbrough Council, Trading Standards, Cleveland Fire Brigade, North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), National Crime Agency (NCA), and Harbour Police.
As part of the day, officers executed several warrants across Middlesbrough.
The operation resulted in:
A 35-year-old man arrested and charged with possession of an offensive weapon after a ‘zombie’ knife was seized following a warrant on Fonteyn Court. He has been bailed to appear at court.
A warrant at Scholars Rise resulted in the arrest and charge of a 46-yearold woman for possession of a Class A drug. She has been bailed to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.
Officers seized a significant amount of Class A drugs, believed to be cocaine worth around £23,500, from an address on Essex Street. Two men aged 23 and 25 and a 23-year-old woman were arrested in connection with the incident and all three have since been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and have been remanded in custody.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested at Clough Close on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and he has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
A 20-year-old man was also arrested at Clough Close after officers recovered CS canisters and he has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Officers arrested a 19-year-old man at Park Road South on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession
of a Class B drug. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
On Borough Road, officers arrested and charged a 36-year-old man with theft and he has been bailed to appear at court.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on Valley Road on suspicion of
assault and he has been bailed pending further enquiries.
A 37-year-old man who was wanted on warrant, was arrested at Kellfield Walk and placed before the court. He was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been bailed pending further enquiries.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on Wicklow Street and charged with two counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and a breach of notification requirements. He appeared in court on the morning of Friday, May 26 where he pleaded guilty to all three charges and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
Drones were used to locate and recover off-road bikes in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Whinney Banks area. Officers attended a property and recovered three bikes, believed
stolen, and arrested two men.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and drug driving. He has been bailed pending further enquiries. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and he was also wanted in connection with reports of criminal damage. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Response officers arrested a 35-year-old on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Neighbourhood Safety Team also worked alongside officers to clamp down on untaxed and abandoned vehicles and a total of 15 vehicles were seized.
The Mixture Shop on Norfolk Place was visited and a total of 552 vapes were seized by Trading Standards for exceeding the maximum amount of e-liquid and for failing to be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The vapes will be destroyed and action will be taken against the premises owners.
The licencing unit and Public Health also visited a number of premises and conducted licence checks and alcohol surveys.
Operation Artemis will continue to run regularly throughout the spring and summer to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and the issues that matter most to those living in Teesside.
District Commander for Middlesbrough, Supt Marc Anderson, said: “Operation Artemis saw the force tackle some of the main issues that the community have highlighted to us, including drugs and off-road bikes. Our officers arrested 16 people, seized weapons, took a significant amount of drugs off the streets of Middlesbrough and crushed more than 20 illegal bikes.
“I’d like to thank our officers, staff and all the partners involved in the operation – their hard work and support is crucial and helped make this a success.
“The operation highlighted the work that goes on 365 days of the year but information from the public remains vital and I would urge anyone to report crime and anti-social behaviour to us on 101.”
Operation Artemis saw the force tackle some of the main issues that the community have highlighted.
Supt Marc
Anderson