Guns and drugs seized and 23 arrested in series of raids

Police said 23 arrests were made today for a variety of offences including supplying drugs, firearm possession, burglary, non-payment of fines and conspiracy to defraud.

Raids took place across Sheffield - this afternoon in the Manor, Parson Cross, Shiregreen, Westfield and Stocksbridge.

The raids were part of Operation Duxford - a multi agency crackdown on crime.

Police said this afternoon that a 'quantity' of suspected Class A and B drugs had been recovered, as well as a suspected firearm, two air weapons and a quantity of cash.

A total of 23 people, 19 men and four women, were arrested as part of the operation.

This morning, there was a dedicated traffic stop operation at Sheffield Arena, which moved in the afternoon to the A57.

Nearly 70 vehicles were stopped over the course of the day, with one person arrested for being over the prescribed limit as well as a number of vehicles seized for having no insurance or tax.

Temporary Superintendent Bob Chapman, who oversaw the operation today, said: “This partnership operation has drawn on the expertise of officers and staff from Sheffield City Council, Trading Standards, HMRC Tobacco team, Illegal Money Lending Team, Immigration, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, DWP and Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

“I am grateful for their support and for the cooperation of our local communities while we have carried out a number of warrants and enforcement activity in their area. I hope that residents and businesses are reassured by the action taken today, as well as the increased police presence and engagement stalls at a number of key locations across the east of our city.

“Much of the enforcement activity today came as a direct result of communities telling us what issues affected them, so today’s successes belong as much to the public of Sheffield as they do for the agencies involved.”

Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing at Sheffield Council, said: “The council works closely with the police and partners every day but Operation Duxford is a good opportunity to focus resources in specific areas to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour and crime, which is why we were pleased to support it. We hope the actions build on the success of last year’s operation and our ongoing work, and will send a message out to communities that we’re working hard to address concerns.”