Police Enforcement Day nets 16 arrests + Raids Video

Sixteen people have so far been arrested by police in a targeted enforcement day at addresses across the Tunstall and surrounding area.

Today’s activities formed part of a pre-planned operation targeting specific addresses of those believed to involved in drug-related crime and serious acquisitive crime (which includes burglary, robbery and vehicle crime).

Officers have taken action as a result of community concerns about suspicious activity taking place at the properties.

Warrants have been executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act, as part of Staffordshire Police’s ongoing Operation Nemesis campaign, and officers have also arrested people suspected of serious acquisitive crime.

All those arrested have being taken to the force’s Northern Area Custody Facility at Etruria (NACF) where they will be questioned.

Officers are carrying out detailed searches at each address and neighbourhood police officers are conducting high visibility patrols to reassure local residents.

The force’s road crime team, with support from colleagues at the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and HM Revenue and Customs, has also been on patrol. With the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, officers have stopped in excess of 20 vehicles.

Once stopped the vehicles have been subjected to a detailed examination by VOSA, to ensure road worthiness, and all documentation has been checked. So far three cars have been taken off the road.

Today’s operation has involved in excess of 70 police officers, both uniform and non-uniform, from various teams.

The current breakdown of warrants executed is as follows:

Ralph Drive, Sneyd Green: A 29-y-o man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and posession of cannabis. Officers have recovered documentation, cash, a motorbike and what is believed to be cannabis from the address.

Hilary Street, Cobridge: A 20-y-o man has been arrested and officers have recovered a quantity of what is believed to be cannabis from the address.

Newcastle Street, Middleport: No arrests made at the property. A quantity of what is believed to be cannabis was seized.

May Street, Park Estate, Burslem: A small quantity of what is believed to be cannabis was seized and a man in his 40s was issued with a street caution.

Hamil Road, Burslem: A man aged 28 and a woman aged 27 have been arrested at an address and a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs seized.

Linwood Way, Tunstall: Four men, aged 18, 19, 21 and 23, and a woman aged 24, have all been arrested at an address. Officers have seized a quantity of cash, suspected stolen property and a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs.

Ancaster Street, Goldenhill: A 39-y-o man has been arrested and a quantity of what is believed to be cannabis seized.

Salisbury Street, Tunstall: No arrests made and no seizures.

Lord Street, Smallthorne: A 29-year-old woman was arrested at an address and a 31-year-old man handed himself in to police. Officers have seized a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs, with a high street value, from the property.

Wilding Road, Ball Green: A 38-year-old man was arrested at an address and has subsequently been charged with production of cannabis. He will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court on October 20.

Hesketh Avenue, Ball Green: Officers recovered a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs and arrested a 43-year-old woman and a 17-year-old male at an address.

Officers from the Road Crime Team have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of disqualified driving. He has also been issued with a street warning for cannabis possession.

Insp Martin Brereton, from Stoke-on-Trent North Local Policing Team (LPT), said: “Today’s police activity sends out a clear messsage to offenders that police are serious about tackling drug-related and serious acqusitive crime.

“Today’s operation has had a dual purpose. As well as targeting suspected drug dealers we have also arrested those we believe to be involved in serious acquisitive crime.”

“Drugs misuse, together with serious acquisitive crime, will not be tolerated in Stoke-on-Trent. Thanks to information received from concerned members of the public about suspicious activity in their communities we have taken positive action.

“We are committed to taking action against those we believe are involved in criminal activity and the anti-social behaviour which comes with it.

“Operation Nemesis is the force’s commitment to tackling major drug dealers and bringing them to justice. But we cannot continue to do this without the help of our partners and members of the public. By working together we will improve life for the communities we serve.”

To keep residents informed and reassured regarding today’s police activity in their streets, neighbourhood officers have also handed out community newsletters.

The operation is continuing.

Anyone with concerns about crime in their community is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 44 55 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.