Police keep up relentless fight against crime
| Published: 4th December 2008 15:05 |
Hundreds of criminals will be pleased to see the back of 2008,
after being arrested this year as part of Operation Relentless. The high-profile policing operation resulted in 417 arrests as well as the seizure of vehicles, drugs and cash from people found to be breaking the law.
Operation Relentless is an operation which aims to arrest offenders, reduce crime and provide a reassuring uniformed presence for the people of Avon and Somerset. Throughout the year targeted days of action often involving more than 100 police officers tackled areas such as rogue trading, anti-social behaviour and bail bandits. The operation began in June 2005 and during that time has been responsible for the arrest of more than 2,000 individuals.
The targeted days of action this year included:
- In February and August the operation targeted people who were wanted for failing to attend court or had a warrant issued for their arrest. Across the two days 297 people were arrested for a wide variety of offences including breach of bail, assault and drug-related offences. Officers also discovered £300,000 of drugs at a cannabis factory.
- In April the operation targeted criminals using the road though the use of ANPR equipment. At five locations throughout the Force area a total of 64,360 registration plates were scanned and 389 vehicles were stopped. Fourteen people were arrested, 37 uninsured vehicles were seized and two vehicles were found to be using red diesel. In addition, controlled drugs including cocaine and amphetamines were seized and £26,000 in cash was confiscated.
- In June the operation targeted crime associated with the night-time economy. More than 40 people were arrested for crimes including possession of Class A drugs, assault and theft. In addition to this, alcohol was seized from under-age drinkers and on-the-spot fines were issued for public order offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Rod Hansen said: "Operation Relentless has had another successful year. The days of action support the excellent police work which is undertaken every day and shows our communities that we will be relentless in tracking down offenders and suspects. The message to criminals is simply that if you engage in criminal activity in our area then we will arrest you and hold you to account for your actions."
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