Order imposed in Newtown results in six arrests and drugs seized

At least 17 individuals were stopped and searched from Wednesday 5 February into the early hours of Friday 7 February.

It resulted in six men being arrested and transported to police custody to be interviewed.

Following questioning, four men have since been charged and remanded in custody in connection with offences that include possession with intent to supply, possession of a knife and possession of a class C drug.

Officers recovered drugs from five individuals that are estimated to be worth £3,500 and recovered a quantity of cash from two people.

A house on Brierville Road was also subjected to a closure order for 24 hours due to an arson at the property. 

Three individuals were subsequently summonsed to court or received out of court disposals.

The section 60 order was put in place to help prevent anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

This, therefore, granted officers the power to stop anyone suspected of coming into the area to commit criminality and conduct a search. It also included people who may have been in possession of a weapon. 

Chief Inspector Andy Evans, from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “The order has achieved exactly what we hoped it would by preventing serious violence and anti-social behaviour occurring in Newtown.

“Officers have disrupted the supply of class A drugs that we suspect is linked to organised crime and removed criminality from the area.

“We hope this provides reassurance to residents and the wider community that we will take proactive and robust action to deter criminals who we believe are intent on bringing misery and violence to Newtown and further afield.

“I want to encourage members of the public to keep reporting criminal activity and being our eyes and ears so we can take action to remove it.”

If you have information, please either contact Cleveland Police on 101 or by visiting the website.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.