Offenders caged in police operation
Five people were arrested by York police during a major operation to cut crime in the west of the city.
Officers from across the force teamed up with colleagues from various different agencies on 21 July 2011 to conduct a widespread and high-visibility day of action, named Operation Cage..
Neighbourhood Support Teams joined forces with the Ministry of Defence Police to enforce simultaneous early morning warrants at properties on Gale Lane, where they arrested three people for drug offences.
Two women, aged 24 and 25, were detained on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply after a through search of the house uncovered a quantity of white powder. They have been released on police bail as enquiries continue.
Following a search of the other house, a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug after search officers found a number of cannabis plants in the property. He has been released on bail as enquiries continue.
More warrants followed throughout the day with officers making further arrests after raids on addresses across the west side of York
A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug when police search teams discovered a cannabis factory at an address on Poppleton Road.
Officers found a substantial number of plants at various stages of development and a large sum of cash in the property.
The suspect has been released on police bail as enquiries continue.
A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and firearms offences after a warrant was executed at his home in Butcher Terrace.
He has been released on bail as police enquiries continue.
Acting Inspector Ian Sirrell, of York West Safer Neighbourhood Team, was impressed by the success of the operation which sent out a strong message to local criminals that they will get a visit from the police if they continue to offend.
He said: "I am really pleased that the operation has gone so well, with a number of arrests for drug offences and some high-visibility policing which not only sends a strong message to criminals but provides reassurance to the community.
""We will continue to target those who cause problems for residents on the west side of York and our aim is to make life for them as unpleasant as possible.
"This day of action, which will certainly not be the last, merely supplements the highly successful day to day work the west side policing team do."
Aside from the numerous drugs warrants a range of other policing initiatives were running throughout the day.
Officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams, visited local schools to engage with the pupils and educate them about avoiding anti-social behaviour and underage drinking ahead of the upcoming summer holidays.
Joint patrols with British Transport Police focused on tackling crime on the railways in response to a recent rise in cable theft and trespassing on the lines.
Mobile police stations were stationed on Acomb Front Street and in Foxwood offering crime prevention advice to residents, including home security tips and ways to prevent shed burglaries.
Police domestic violence coordinators visited 13 repeat victims to check on their welfare and offer them reassurance.
On the B1224 roads policing officers pulled in vehicles weighing over 7.5tonnes for VOSA checks, to test for road worthiness and defects.
Court officials conducted three warrants and arrested two people for non-payment of fines.
North Yorkshire Police's ANPR team patrolled the area in the evening to check for stolen vehicles and people driving without insurance.
10.17am - 22 July 2011
