North Yorkshire Police arrest more than 60 during 'biggest operation in force's history'
Police in North Yorkshire made more than 60 arrests in 24 hours during an organised crime crackdown described as ‘the biggest operation in the force’s history’.
Specialist teams involved in North Yorkshire Police’s ‘Operation Super Tornado Two’ worked around the clock to make 64 arrests, seize six weapons and 14 vehicles.
Officers also executed 14 warrants, found four wanted people and recovered £3,750 in cash in the operation targeting serious and organised crime across York and North Yorkshire.
The force also seized a ‘significant quantity of drugs’, including a cannabis cultivation in Northallerton with an estimated street value of around £1 million.
Describing the day-long operation as one targeting ‘those causing greatest harm to our communities’, North Yorkshire Police said they worked with partner agencies and neighbouring forces to pursue offenders.
As part of the operation, they visited 12 high street premises, with the activity resulting in the closure of one premises in York linked to the sale of illegal tobacco.
Chief Constable Tim Forber from North Yorkshire Police said: “Operation Super Tornado Two is about taking the fight directly to those who cause the most harm in our communities.
“For 24 hours, our officers and staff worked around the clock across York and North Yorkshire, making arrests, executing warrants, seizing weapons, drugs and cash, targeting wanted offenders and working alongside our partners to protect vulnerable people.
“To those who believe they can bring drugs, violence and criminality into our communities, our message is clear. We will come after you, we will disrupt your activities and we will use every tactic available to us to make North Yorkshire a hostile place for criminals.”