Matrix Team cracks down on crime

Officers from the newly launched Matrix Team have arrested five people for driving under the influence and have seized a number of vehicles from the roads this week.

The team focused on the Middlesbrough area on Tuesday 23^rd January and conducted a number of arrest attempts as well as proactive patrols in the community.

Two men were arrested on warrant while the team also assisted Middlesbrough’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) in carrying out vehicle searches and stop searches.

A total of five people were arrested for driving under the influence and three people were reported for driving offences. Four vehicles were also recovered.

The Matrix Team was also instrumental in Operation Artemis which saw the arrest of six people on Monday 22^nd January with officers assisting with drug warrants.

As part of Artemis, a total of 22 vehicles were stopped at Teesport during a multi-agency operation with Cleveland Police, the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Redcar and Cleveland Council, Harbour Police and the Environment Agency.

The Matrix Team, which was officially launched on Monday, works to reduce and eradicate emerging threats of serious and organised crime to tackle more criminals and protect communities further, by Cracking Down on Crime.

The team consists of Tactical Disruption Team (previously known as the Operational Support Unit); Firearms; the Dog Unit; Roads Policing; Casualty Reduction and Road Safety; Camera Enforcement; Football; Public Order; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN); Search; as well as Operational and Emergency Planning.

Vehicles within the fleet have been rebranded; and the Tactical Disruption Team vehicles will also be bright yellow to provide a highly visible deterrent to criminals and a reassuring presence for the public. 

Chief Inspector Darren Bainbridge said: “The Matrix Team have been hard at work disrupting criminal activity, arresting offenders and protecting people across Cleveland.

“I hope the launch of the Matrix Team demonstrates to our communities that Cleveland Police will not stand by and let criminals wreak havoc on our streets and roads.

“We will be continuing our activity over the coming weeks, working with other departments within Cleveland Police and our partners, to tackle everything from anti-social behaviour to serious and organised crime.

“We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to benefit from crime and we would encourage anyone with information regarding criminal or suspicious activity to come forward and let us know by calling 101.

“Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.”