Operation Artemis: Cleveland Police's crackdown on crime

The fourth leg of Cleveland Police’s Operation Artemis saw the force focus on the Redcar and Cleveland area with drug problems and anti-social behaviour both being firmly in their sights.

Several addresses around the area were targeted for early morning raids as suspected drug dealers had a rude awakening as the crackdown on crime got underway.

And the scourge of off-road bikers terrorising the area is one of the key targets for the force.

District Commander Superintendent Emily Harrison said her officers are working closely with members of the community to rebuild trust and tackle their concerns head-on.

“This is about dealing with the issues that people raise with the police and showing them that we are taking their concerns seriously,” she said.

“Drug dealing and nuisance riders or drivers are major issues for people in the Redcar and Cleveland area, so we will be taking action to get them off the streets.

Officers raiding a property on Wilton Avenue, Dormanstown (Image: Graeme Hetherington, Newsquest)

“It’s really important that we have district commands again as it helps to rebuild trust and there is someone accountable for solving the problems in the area.

“This operation is about sending a message to the community and the criminals that we are going to take action. We will be knocking down drug dealers’ doors, we will be carrying out searches and we will be taking illegal vehicles off the roads.”

Officers made several arrests throughout the day, including one in connection with the suspected discovery of 100 rocks of crack cocaine at an address on Wilton Avenue, Dormanstown. One woman has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

Woman arrested in connection with suspected drugs offences in Dormanstown, near Redcar. (Image: Graeme Hetherington, Newsquest)

An air rifle has been seized from a property in Bolckow Road, Grangetown, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A.

And another man was arrested at an address on Windsor Court, Grangetown, on suspicion of possession of class B drugs and possession of criminal property.

Superintendent Emily Harrison, District Commander for Redcar, speaking to officers at the start of Operation Artemis (Image: Graeme Hetherington, Newsquest)

Supt Harrison added: “We intend to make life difficult for offenders and this was our opportunity to show them what we are capable of doing.

Read more:

• Heroin dealer caught with 200g of the Class A drug waits to learn his fate
• Benefit cheat avoids prison after receiving almost £18,000 in over payments
• Pervert facing jail after trying to engage in sexual activity with a child

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“This was just the start; we will continue to listen to residents and we will continue to address their concerns.

"We want to reassure residents that if they report their concerns to us, we will take action. It may not be immediate as we sometimes have to gather more intelligence but we will do something about it.

"If we don't take action, people will stop giving us information and that would be bad for the entire community."

For more information about Operation Artemis visit the force website here.