Five arrested and drugs and vehicle seized during Operation Artemis

Five arrests were made and officers seized drugs and vehicles during another Operation Artemis tackling organised crime in Middlesbrough.

A total of five warrants were executed throughout the day on Laycock Street, Campion Drive, Kings Road, and Macbean Street which led to the recovery of Class C drugs.

The day of action involved officers from across the force including the Proactive Team, the Matrix Team and the Dedicated Drugs Unit and were supported by partner agencies including Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Thirteen Housing.

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

A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with arson with intent to endanger life, arson and racially/religiously aggravated public order. He is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court today.

Officers also arrested and charged a 23-year-old man from Middlesbrough with aggravated burglary, criminal damage, possession of heroin, and possession of cocaine. He is due to appear at court today.

A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal damage. He was given conditional bail to appear at court next month.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged with breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and he remains in police custody.

The Proactive Team carried out patrols around Newport and central Middlesbrough and conducted a number of stop searches.

At around 4.30pm plain-clothed Proactive officers observed two men acting suspiciously in a green area off Union Street, Middlesbrough, depositing an item before running off.

Officers subsequently recovered a black bag containing numerous packages of Class B drugs, believed to be cannabis.

An area search was conducted, and CCTV and forensic enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspects.

During an untaxed vehicle operation led by Middlesbrough Council and supported by officers, four vehicles were seized.

The speed enforcement vans were also out and identified 22 offences in total across Middlesbrough.

Drones were used to locate and recover off-road bikes in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour while officers carried out patrols and engaged with members of the public.

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

PCSOs and officers also engaged with members of the community throughout the day and attended schools and a litter pick as part of the day’s activities.

District Commander for Middlesbrough, Superintendent Marc Anderson, said: “Yesterday was another successful Artemis thanks to the hard work of our officers and partner agencies.

“We’re showing the work our officers do day in and day in a highly visible way to reassure the public that we are listening to their concerns and we will act to prevent and deter crime.

“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/.