16 arrests made and drugs and weapons seized during Operation Artemis

Cleveland Police arrested 16 people and seized a significant amount of drugs and weapons during the second phase of Operation Artemis.

An early-morning briefing at Police HQ yesterday kicked off the operation to tackle crime in our communities with specialist resources from across the force being used.

The operation also involved Middlesbrough Council, Trading Standards, Cleveland Fire Brigade, North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), National Crime Agency (NCA), and Harbour Police.

As part of the day, officers executed several warrants across Middlesbrough.

A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of an offensive weapon after a zombie knife was seized following a warrant on Fonteyn Court. He has been bailed to appear at court.

Another warrant at Scholars Rise resulted in the arrest and charge of a 46-year-old woman for possession a Class A drug. She has been bailed to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Officers also seized a significant amount of Class A drugs, believed to be cocaine worth around £23,500, from an address on Essex Street.

They arrested two men aged 23 and 25 and a 23-year-old woman in connection with the incident and all three have since been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and have been remanded in custody.

As well as warrants, officers also carried out arrest attempts for a number of people. 

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at Clough Close on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and he has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested at Clough Close after offciers recovered CS canisters and he has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Officers arrested a 19-year-old man at Park Road South on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a Class B drug. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

On Borough Road, officers arrested and charged a 36-year-old man with theft and he has been bailed to appear at court.

A 31-year-old man was also arrested on Valley Road on suspicion of assault and he has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Another man, aged 37, who was wanted on warrant, was arrested at Kellfield Walk and placed before the court. He was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and he has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on Wicklow Street and charged with two counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and a breach of notification requirements.

He appeared in court on the morning of Friday 26^th May where he pleaded guilty to all three charges and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

Drones were used to locate and recover off-road bikes in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Whinney Banks area.

As a result of this, the drone picked up a number of off-road bikes and monitored them for a period of time which led them to a property.

Officers attended the property and recovered three bikes, which were believed to have be stolen, and arrested two men.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and drug driving. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and he was also wanted in connection with reports of criminal damage. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Response officers were also busy throughout the operation and arrested two people including a 35-year-old on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and a 39-year-old on suspicion of harassment.

The 35-year-old has been bailed pending further enquiries while the no further action has been taken against the 39-year-old.

Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Neighbourhood Safety Team worked alongside officers to clamp down on untaxed and abandoned vehicles and a total of 15 vehicles were seized.

During the day, officers also attended The Mixture Shop on Norfolk Place along with colleagues from Trading Standards and Cleveland Fire Brigade.

A total of 552 vapes were seized by Trading Standards for exceeding the maximum amount of e-liquid and for failing to be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The vapes will be destroyed and action will be taken against the premises owners.

The licencing unit and Public Health also visited a number of premises and conducted licence checks and alcohol surveys.

Integrated Offender Management, which brings a cross-agency response to crime and reoffending threats, also carried out a number of visits.

Operation Artemis will continue to run regularly throughout the Spring and Summer to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and the issues that matter most to those living in Teesside. 

District Commander for Middlesbrough, Superintendent Marc Anderson, said: “Operation Artemis saw the force tackle some of the main issues that the community have highlighted to us including drugs and off-road bikes.

“Our officers arrested 16 people, seized weapons, took a significant amount of drugs off the streets of Middlesbrough and crushed more than 20 illegal bikes.

“This was a multi-agency operation involving Middlesbrough Council, Trading Standards, Cleveland Fire Brigade, North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), National Crime Agency (NCA), and Harbour Police.  

“I’d like to thank our officers, staff and all the partners involved in the operation – their hard work and support is crucial and helped make yesterday a success.

“The operation highlighted the work that goes on 365 days of the year but information from the public remains vital and I would urge anyone to report crime and anti-social behaviour to us on 101.”

Please tell Cleveland Police if crime and antisocial behaviour is happening in your area – if we don’t know, we can’t take action.

Report it to us via 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Visit: Operation Artemis | Cleveland Police for more.