Operation Artemis
Keep up to date with Operation Artemis activity.
As we launch another day of action under Operation Artemis, this time focussing on domestic abuse, there has been activity throughout the night to arrest a number of outstanding suspects across Cleveland.
This takes place during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Further updates will be provided on our website and social media throughout the day, please follow us for more information.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact one of our partner agencies offering advice or practical support:
- My Sisters Place (based in Middlesbrough) Tel 01642 214864 www.mysistersplace.org.uk
- Eva's House (based in Redcar) Phone: 07525591971 www.evawomensaid.org.uk
- Foundation Redcar (based in Redcar) Tel 0300 456 2214 www.foundationuk.org
- Harbour Support Services (based in Hartlepool) 03000 20 25 25 (24 hours) www.myharbour.org.uk
- Halo Project (based in Middlesbrough) specifically supports victims suffering abuse in the name of honour and those experiencing forced marriage. Tel 01642 683045 www.haloproject.org.uk
Deputy Chief Constable Victoria Fuller talks below about the day of action.
In Redcar and Cleveland this morning, there have been two males arrested as part of Operation Artemis, which is focussing on domestic abuse.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and another male has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. Both remain in police custody at this time.
Arrests are continuing across the Force area this morning (Friday 1st December).
The operation coincides with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Further updates will be provided on our website and social media throughout the day. Please follow us for more information.
A further four arrests have been made in the Hartlepool area as part of Operation Artemis.
The operation focuses on domestic abuse and coincides with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Abuse.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications.
Another aged 35 has been arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
A 42-year-old man has been arrested after being wanted in connection with five offences, including breach of bail conditions.
Further updates will be provided throughout the day, please follow us for more information.
This week saw the anniversary of stalking laws being introduced to help protect victims.
On 25th November 2012, stalking laws were initiated which would also ensure that perpetrators could be put before the courts and be brought to justice.
Stalking is very similar to harassment, but usually more aggressive and occurs when someone’s behaviour is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated.
Stalking may include:
- Regularly following someone
- Repeatedly going uninvited to their home
- Checking someone’s internet use, email or other electronic communication
- Hanging around somewhere they know person often visits
- Interfering with their property
- Watching or spying on someone
- Identity theft (signing up to services or buying things in someone’s name)
As part of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence we are sharing messaging to help raise awareness of help and support available to victims.
If you’re experiencing stalking, please call Cleveland Police on 101 or always call 999 in an emergency.
The National Stalking Helpline is also available to give advice to victims on 0808 802 0300.
You can find out more information here about stalking and harassment: https://orlo.uk/xZnCa
Another four people have been arrested in Stockton under Operation Artemis.
The operation focuses on domestic abuse and coincides with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Abuse.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour, rape and assault.
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stalking.
A 20-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of rape.
A fourth man, aged 32, has also been arrested on suspicion of stalking and failure to comply with a community order.
Further updates will be provided throughout the day on our website and social media pages.
A new service supported by Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner will give extra help to victims of stalking across Cleveland.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has funded two Independent Stalking Advocates (ISAs.)
They form part of a service operated by national stalking and personal safety charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
The ISAs will work closely with Cleveland Police, victims’ services and partners – in particular those specialising in domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women and girls (VAWG.)
The new service will pick up referrals from the police and make sure appropriate support is in place. Support will focus on victim safety and meeting their needs.
The ISAs, who will be funded until March 2025, help victims navigate the criminal justice system to improve outcomes.
Additional money from the OPCC’s Victims’ Grant will also support stalking training for frontline police officers and partner agencies.
Training will help staff increase the number of stalking victims identified earlier. It will also help to improve victims’ access to specialist support.
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “Sadly, we know Cleveland has high levels of stalking offences. It’s important we ensure there is the appropriate specialist support in place.
“Agencies have to work together to help victims recognise what stalking is, how to report it and where to get help when it happens.”
Steve met with Steve Lingley, Interim Senior Services and Development Lead for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and Superintendent Helen Wilson, from Cleveland Police. They discussed a more strategic vision for tackling stalking across Cleveland.
Steve Lingley said: “We are delighted to be able to bring specialist stalking advocacy support services to victims of stalking across Cleveland.
“We are looking forward to impacting the overall response that victims receive across the area.
“We know that having a stalking advocate involved in a case dramatically increases the likelihood of a positive criminal justice outcome. It also improves the victim’s ability to feel – and be – safe.”
Superintendent Helen Wilson said: “We are pleased to welcome the two new roles of Independent Stalking Advocates.
“They will bring expertise in supporting victims of stalking, so that we can offer the right help and support throughout the judicial process and beyond.
“Our priority is to safeguard victims and bring those responsible to justice; but also to offer the appropriate support to victims so that they have the confidence to come forward and have access to any help and support they should need following such a traumatic experience.”
Victims can contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.
*** (L-R) PCC Steve Turner, Supt Helen Wilson and Steve Lingley, Interim Senior Services and Development Lead for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust ***
Another four people have been arrested in connection with Operation Artemis.
Three males were arrested in the Middlesbrough area and one in the Stockon area.
Three males aged 18, 22 and 40 have been arrested on suspicion of assault.
A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and non-fatal strangulation.
The operation focuses on domestic abuse and coincides with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Abuse.
That's it for pro-active arrests for today but we will continue to persistently target offenders of DA every day and encourage victims to report offences to us or other agencies. For further information on how to report, please go to:
How to report domestic abuse | Cleveland Police
I am a PCDA student officer and have recently joined the Domestic Abuse Unit (DAU). My first exposure to the DAU was in January 2023 when I came for a three-week attachment - I learnt how the team operated and what they did, and I opted for a full-time role in the unit.
The greatest value is everyone works well as a team, nothing is ever too much to ask, and no matter what experience level, colleagues are always willing to provide a hand.
Duty days are days when we are briefed by the Sergeant in the morning and we are assigned “live” incidents – incidents which have just been reported.
When you are assigned to oversee an incident, as the incident's officer in charge, you must conduct a thorough investigation into the reported incident.
We thoroughly review the details of the incident, look at the background of the defendant and the complainant, compile all relevant evidence, speak with the complainant, and interview the defendant.
The most crucial aspect of this job is safeguarding the victim and any children involved. In Domestic Abuse cases, regardless of whether the victim agrees with police action taken against the defendant, their safety is the top priority. Working with many partnership agencies involved in safeguarding Domestic Abuse victims, we do all we can to ensure the victims safety remains paramount throughout the investigation.
Casefile building is a major part within this role. The investigations, sometimes very lengthy, can produce incredibly satisfying results - knowing we have helped a vulnerable victim and protected them from further harm.
Cleveland Police continues to have a high rate of applications through Clare’s Law.
Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, is a police power which allows people to be told if their current, or in some circumstances their ex-partner, has any previous history of violence or abuse.
In the year ending 31 March 2023, Cleveland Police made 2,054 ‘right to know’ and ‘right to ask’ applications, a significant increase on the previous year.
For more info about Claire’s Law and to learn how to make an application, please go to:
A total of 14 arrests have been made today, Friday 1st December, during a domestic abuse focussed operation #OpArtemis
Across the Cleveland area, Operation Artemis saw a total of fourteen males arrested on suspicion of a number of domestic related offences including stalking, rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The operation coincides with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Eleven homes of domestic abuse offenders were visited and officers also conducted checks with registered sex offenders, including on their digital devices.
Whilst we continue to persistently target offenders of domestic abuse every day, we are also encouraging victims to report offences to us.
For more information on how to report a domestic abuse offence, please go to:
How to report domestic abuse | Cleveland Police
For details on support services for victims, please go to:
Support organisations for victims of domestic violence | Cleveland Police