[P]olice in South Cumbria made 13 arrests as part of a proactive operation to crackdown on crime and associated disorder.
During the week-long operation (March 5 – 11), officers and staff worked with a host of partner agencies to target the drug dealers and burglars that have such a negative impact on the area’s communities.
This included working with British Transport Police at Barrow Train Station, to focus on those involved in the supply of drugs from outside of Cumbria, who come into the county and target the most vulnerable.
The third operation of its kind, named Operation Quadrant, also involved action to prevent and detect offences involving the use of alcohol, targeted motorists who use our roads in an unsafe manner, and saw community engagement taking place to reassure and support.
Warrants were executed on eight addresses (six in Barrow, one in Kendal and one in Windermere), where controlled drugs such as amphetamine were seized.
The following arrests were made (all in Barrow):
- A woman, 51, and a man, 48, for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. They have been released under investigation;
- A 28-year-old for ABH and criminal damage. He has been released with no further action to be taken;
- A 50-year-old man for possession of Class C drug. The man, Philip Davey, of St Luke’s Street, Barrow was charged with the offence.
- One man, 43, for animal cruelty and possession of a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation, and the dog was seized by police;
- One man, 20, for being on recall to prison. He has been returned to prison;
- Two men (aged 26 and 46) for indecent images offences. The 46-year-old was released under investigation, the 26-year-old was charged and has been remanded in custody;
- One 17-year-old male and one 18-year-old male for theft of a vehicle. He has been released under investigation;
- One 16-year-old male from Barrow, for a public order offence. He was subsequently charged;
- One 41-year-old male for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He is still in police custody;
- One 26-year-old female for possession of Class B drugs. She is still in police custody.
Police officers worked with organisations such as Environmental Health, Street Care and Cumbria County Council as part of stops on the A590. No offences were identified in relation to the 125 vehicles which were stopped checked, but crime prevention advice was given and engagement with drivers took place.
Chief Inspector Matt Pearman said: “This has been yet another successful operation which has seen us build even more on the brilliant partnership working that has been carried out on the two previous Operation Quadrants.
“While tackling crime is our day-to-day business, this operation allowed staff to be designated from around the Force in a joined up, targeted approach, with other agencies.
“The arrests and seizures should send a strong message to criminals who think they can get away with the harm they do to our communities – we will seek to find you, and ensure you answer for your crimes.
“As well as removing these criminals from the streets, this operation has allowed further opportunities for our officers to visits the most vulnerable in our communities, and to provide them with advice on where they can get more support.
“We will continue to work hard to conduct operations like Quadrant alongside our daily pursuit of criminals, and will do all we can to ensure they end up before the courts.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “This is yet another great example of effective, robust and joined-up policing at its best, and I’d like to pass on my thanks to those involved. Would-be criminals need to know that Cumbria is not a ‘soft touch’ – and offenders will be brought to justice.”
