Officers have increased the pressure in the fight against serious and organised crime carrying out more raids, charging more offenders and securing more convictions for those involved in drug dealing, trafficking and large scale frauds.

Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, Northumbria police vowed to work alongside Durham and Cleveland police forces and the North East Specialist Operations Unit (NERSOU) to dismantle the sophisticated organised crime groups continuing to carry out their illicit activities across the North East.

That pledge has resulted in more disruption activity, arrests, charges and convictions as new figures released today (Friday) show.

From June 2017 to February 2018, the Force had carried out a total of 103 raids on properties linked to serious and organised crime which saw 104 arrests, 35 charges and sentencing of 217 years.  A year later, from June 2018 – February 2019 those figures rose to 148 raids, 127 arrests, 47 convictions and more than 225 years in sentencing.

Assistant Chief Constable David Felton praised the Force for their continued efforts in fighting serious and organised crime, and said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of all those involved.

He said: “As a Force, we have a duty to protect our communities from the devastating consequences serious and organised crime can have on their lives.

“Nationally, organised crime is viewed as one of the greatest threats to the public because of the harmful effect it can have on everyone. Organised crime is anything which is planned, coordinated and conducted by people working together for financial gain.

“Our aim is to work together show the public we are serious about tackling crime and bringing to justice those who have a complete disregard for the law and for the damage they are causing with their illicit activities.

“It is great to see our officers working hard to not only pursue those individuals who think it’s OK to flout the law for their own gain, but to prevent these crimes from happening and making sure our communities are prepared and protected against the consequences of organised crime.

“We will continue to work with members of the public and our partners in the fight against serious and organised crime.”

Pictured: Assistant Chief Constable David Felton of Northumbria Police with Assistant Chief Constable Dave Orford of Durham Police in January at the launch of Operation Sentinel