Police score double century against crime

Warwickshire Police has scored a double century in a crackdown on crime across the county. Well over 100 uninsured vehicles have now been seized since new powers came into effect recently, then over 100 arrests were made on Operation Sanction on 8 and 9 November, the latest in a series of intensive operations aimed at disrupting, detecting and reducing crime. These results will have a big impact on the safety of our communities in the run up to Christmas - a time when crime traditionally increases.

Under the Serious and Organised Crime Act, which came into effect on July 1 2005, police have had the power since 1 October to seize vehicles if they have good reason to believe that they are not insured, with the onus being on the driver to prove that they have insurance. Warwickshire's results against such offenders was achieved in part through two special operations - Operation Carbon on 10 October, based in Nuneaton, and Operation Artery from 1-3 November, which targeted major arterial routes through the county. The two operations together resulted in 45 vehicle seizures.

Vehicle crime was also targeted as part of Operation Sanction on 8 and 9 November in which Warwickshire Police made 118 arrests. The third intensive operation of its kind this year with the aim of disrupting, detecting and reducing crime, it follows one-day operations in July and September in which 55 and 63 were arrested respectively.

The latest operation was conducted over two days for even greater impact, with over 100 police officers utilised without affecting normal policing. It was a co-ordinated countywide operation to arrest and bring to justice a number of people wanted for outstanding crimes including illegal drugs activity, burglary, robbery, theft, assault, disqualified driving and failure to appear following police or court bail. The operation also aimed to provide visible reassurance to the public and deter disorderly behaviour.

The target for the two days was 100 arrests and the final countywide total of 118 was achieved as follows:

The offences leading to arrests on the Northern Area included possession of Class A drugs, possession of cannabis, cultivation of cannabis, assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, threats to kill, robbery, theft, handling stolen goods, taking without owner's consent, criminal damage and breach of bail.

The offences leading to arrests on the Southern Area included possession of Class A drugs, cashpoint fraud, assault, harassment, criminal damage, burglary, taking without owner's consent, theft including from unattended vehicles, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failure to appear following bail and breach of prison licence.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Parker said:

"Once again Operation Sanction has had a big impact on community safety. A very significant number of offenders have been caught and we have had some major successes. These include arresting a group of four cashpoint fraud suspects and recovery of the devices used as well as all the equipment for making the devices. On the drugs front, one arrest resulted in the seizure of 100 cannabis plants.

"Results such as these can only be achieved with the support of the public. Therefore I strongly encourage anyone who has information about crime to contact their local police or to phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Don't underestimate the importance of your contribution - the majority of the arrests we make are as a result of information provided by you. With your support we can all look forward to achieving even better results when Operation Sanction is repeated, and therefore to making an even bigger impact in terms of disrupting, detecting and reducing crime."