Four Arrested In North East Dawn Raids

22 May 2013, 08:33 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Four men have been arrested after breakfast-time raids across three police force areas in the North East.

Starting at 6am officers executed warrants at addresses in three locations in Easington Colliery - George Avenue, Paradise Lane and Tyne Terrace - a house in Bolam Avenue, North Shields and a holiday park in Hutton Sessay, near Thirsk in North Yorkshire.

Those arrested - aged 41, 40, 35 and 27 - have been taken into custody at Peterlee and Durham city police stations where they will be questioned later today.

More than 50 detectives, uniformed officers and specialist staff took part in 'Operation Madrid', a joint venture planned by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Durham Constabulary.

Assistance was also provided by Northumbria Police in relation to the action in North Shields this morning.

The raids were part of the force's ongoing 'Sledgehammer' campaign.

This targets organised crime gangs operating in County Durham and Darlington, many of whom have links to criminal activity in other force areas.

The police action this morning was watched by Durham's Police Commissioner, Ron Hogg and Chief Constable, Mike Barton. Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be on the streets later today to provide reassurance to any concerned residents.

Specialist advice on issues such as drug misuse and financial worries will also be available at Easington welfare club throughout the day as part of a multi-agency week of action.

Insp Vince Addison, head of Seaham's Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
"Today's operation has been planned for some time and is the result of close collaboration between SOCA and ourselves.

We have targeted a small group of people who live in our area suspected of commiting crime across the region, which we realise is far removed from the normal day to day concerns of local residents.

The Durham force area remains one of the safest places to live in the country with crime currently at its lowest level since the 1980s."

SOCA's Regional Head of Investigations, Gerry Smyth said;
"Today's activity with Durham Constabulary demonstrates the coordinated law enforcement approach to tackling the illegal drugs trade and money laundering that allows criminal businesses to operate.

SOCA and its partners remain absolutely determined to protect the public - in the north east and across the UK - from organised crime threats."