Another successful Operation Tornado ‘intensification’ day in Coast Command

From locking up suspected drug dealers, deterring retail and rural crime and keeping people safe from harm in the night-time economy alongside our community partners, Operation Tornado once again made its mark on the Coast Command yesterday (Wednesday 11 December 2024).

With Chief Constable Tim Forber (pictured below) and his Chief Officer Team leading from the front, the ‘intensification’ day got off to a flying start with the execution of a drugs warrant on Clark Street in Scarborough.

We arrested a 46-year-old local man on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intention to supply. Following questioning in custody, we released him under investigation while our enquiries continue. (12240225903)

 

We also carried out an evening drugs raid at an address on Riverside View, Norton, near Malton. We arrested a 54-year-old woman on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intention to supply and possession of an offensive weapon. She has also been released under investigation (12240226390).

We deployed specially trained officers into the Town Centre and the Seamer Road Retail Park to engage with members of the public.

Some of those engaged were known to the Police, whether for retail crime, drug offences or other crime. By using this form of engagement, criminal activity was disrupted. We also spoke with a lot of lovely people, who were keen to speak to officers. Whether it was just for directions, or to tell us that we aren’t seen enough, we were able to engage with our public.

Fraud was also on the agenda, more so the safeguarding and prevention against it. We had fraud-aware trained officers and volunteers in Natwest Bank on Westborough to talk to people about staying safe, protecting themselves and their assets.

We were also called to another bank in Scarborough at the same time, after a banking process identified a customer to be in the process of being de-frauded. We were able to begin an investigation, and more importantly, work with other banks involved to safeguard our resident and protect them from further attempts to take their money and information.

A significant focus for us for this Operation Tornado involved the Rural Task Force team visiting farms on the outskirts of Whitby as part of the ongoing effort to detect and deter cross-border criminals.

It proved to be another welcome opportunity for us to engage with the farmers and helping them to keep their property safe and secure from opportunistic thieves.

This included demonstrating and handing out SelectaDNA kits to use on tractors, trailers, quadbikes and other valuable farming machinery to another 14 farms in the area.

The synthetic DNA marking solution last at least five years outdoors, and, when analysed, reveals a unique code that irrefutably links property with its rightful owner if it is recovered after being stolen.

SelectaDNA is visible under UV light and the serial number can be found on small black dots within the solution.

Using a microscope, the unique reference number can be identified and checked on the secureassetregister.com once a police account has been registered by the owner.

If the solution is detected and no serial number can be identified at the time, then the item can be seized and SelectaDNA will conduct free tests on the solution that will link it back to the unique code and the rightful owner.

 

 

We also distributed signs and stickers warning criminals about the presence of SelectaDNA, displaying them prominently at the entrance to farmyards and on agricultural buildings.

The kits are funded by the Safer Streets Fund – a national programme to reduce and prevent crime using proven, evidence-based interventions.

​All Rural Task Force vehicles are equipped with a UV torch and microscope.

This crime detecting and deterrence effort was supported by night-time patrols on the outskirts of Whitby by the Roads Policing Group, Firearms Support Unit and Dog Unit.

We’re also continuing to work closely with Cleveland Police to relentless pursue cross-border criminals.

We worked together with North Yorkshire Council’s Senior Community Safety Officer who arranged a multi-agency team to visit pubs and bars in Scarborough as part of the effort to improve safety of women in the night-time economy.

This included ensuring bar and security staff have undergone Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training sessions to help them identify potential victims and suspects of violence, including personal safety in relation to spiking.

 

 

We also promoted the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme aimed at both women and men who feel unsafe on a date and need assistance to discreetly move away from the person in question.

At the end of the night out, we provided a high-visibility and engaging presence as people made their way home from the town centre.