Drugs, illegal weapons and stolen vehicles have all been seized by police following a two-day operation which saw a number of arrests.
Operation Accrington, which was carried out by Cleveland Police's Greater Eston NPT in collaboration with the Matrix team last week, saw officers seize drugs including cocaine, as well as stolen motorbikes – while they also removed several burnt-out vehicles across the area.
The operation took place across Thursday (February 1) and Friday (February 2), and resulted in a man, 27, being arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs after officers searched a vehicle.
Following this, they found more suspected Class A drugs, illegal weapons, and a motorbike believed to be stolen after searching an address in South Bank.
The 27-year-old man was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug (cocaine) and remanded after his first appearance at Teesside Magistrates’ Court today (February 5).
Greater Eston Neighbourhoods Inspector Zoe Kelsey said: “This was a very successful operation and I’d like to thank those members of the public who provided information.
“We’ll continue to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities and will use every resource available to us to apprehend those causing harm, committing crime and generally affecting quality of life for the law-abiding majority of residents.”
A 47-year-old man and 50-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
They were interviewed and bailed pending further enquiries.
More drugs and a motorbike which had been stolen from Hartlepool last year, were seized after officers searched an Ormesby address.
A 49-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and theft of motor vehicle. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Meanwhile, another man, 27, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after being stopped by officers after he allegedly drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
He was interviewed and bailed pending further enquiries, but was also reported to court for other alleged driving offences.
Officers from an unmarked police vehicle recovered a stolen motorbike after seeing two males on the bike.
Both fled the scene, while the bike was confirmed as stolen from Middlesbrough last Autumn and was seized – police have said enquiries are ongoing.
A 4x4 which police believe was being used as a “community vehicle” was seized on Thursday evening after allegedly failing to stop for officers.
Cleveland Police said these vehicles are commonly used without insurance and “likely to be used for criminal purposes.”
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Cleveland Police said the operation’s goal is to “proactively target those suspected of criminal activity,” and added it has acted on information from the public.
They said: “You can report crime and ASB at any time to Cleveland Police online via our website, or by phoning 101. Always use 999 in an emergency.
“If you don’t want to speak to police, you can pass information anonymously to https://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone them on 0800 555 111.2
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