Drug arrests made in dawn raids across Leamington

A SERIES of dawn raids were carried out in Leamington on Monday (February 4) as part of the latest crackdown on organised crime in the county.

Eight arrests were made by officers on the first day of the inititative after warrants were secured to storm seven addresses in Warwickshire, including two homes in Warwick Gates and Leamington.

The early morning swoops were part of Warwickshire Police’s Operation X, an organised crackdown targeting known criminals in high-risk areas over the next 15 months. The swoops in Leamington involved some 20 officers.

Dep Ch Con Neil Brunton, who is overseeing the Leamington operation, said a quarter of all crime and anti-social behaviour in the county was committed in Leamington, Rugby and Nuneaton.

He said: “If we put more resources into these locations, we can tackle the people who are causing the most harm.

“Operation X is about improving public confidence, reducing crime and focusing on the areas that are disproportionately affected by crime.

“It’s also about making sure we are showing that there are consequences for those who are causing harm.

“This is not a one day operation. It’s sustained, it’s relentless and every day there will be 100 dedicated officers working towards Operation X.”

The first raid on a house in Sir Toby Belcher Drive on Warwick Gates, saw officers arrest an 18 year-old and 39 year-old man on suspicion of possession and intent to supply cannabis with an estimated street value of £300.

Officers spent around two hours searching the premises where they found an imitation firearm and hydroponic growing equipment but no plants.

The pair were later led away to a police car as neighbours looked on, having been woken by the commotion.

Then at 11.30am the same police team smashed the front door of a Brunswick Street property where a 27 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of receiving and handling stolen goods, including a quantity of bank and identification cards.

Police volunteers then put up posters and pushed leaflets through neighbouring doors explaining the operation and its aims.

Speaking at Warwickshire Justice Centre in Leamington at lunch time, Dep Ch Con Brunton said: “I am delighted with the outcome from today’s warrants and look forward to many more positive results over the course of Operation X.”

Anyone with information which may help police working on Operation X should contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. People can also tweet officers @warkspolice#OpX.

Buy photos» A man is taken away after being arrested at an address in Warwick Gates as part of Operation X. (s)

Buy photos» Police smash their way into a home. (s)

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