Second day of drugs raids in Hartlepool brings total arrests to 22

A total of 22 people from the town have now been arrested by Cleveland Police under Operation Sentinel after executing warrants at six locations on Wednesday, March 18.

It is in addition to 13 people aged between 35 and 55 arrested in a series of raids early on Tuesday, March 17.

On Wednesday morning, police carried out surprise searches at addresses in Wynyard Mews, Dent Street, Grange Road, Furness Street, Shakespeare Street and Charterhouse Street.

Operation Sentinel is aimed at disrupting and preventing organised crime across the region in partnership between Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary.

It also aims to divert vulnerable people away from drugs by working with partner agencies.

On Tuesday, raids were carried out in Cornwall Street, Penrhyn Street, Marlborough Street, Wensleydale Street, Kimberley Street, Charterhouse Street, Duke Street and Helmsley Street.

Detective Inspector Dave Glass, from the Vulnerable, Exploited, Missing and Trafficked Team (VEMT) said: “Today’s arrests are part of ongoing activity across the town to not only tackle drugs offences, but to also tackle the exploitation that goes hand in hand with that and make sure that we identify any vulnerability.

“In total we have so far arrested 22 people on suspicion of drugs offences and we will be offering diversion opportunities through our partners in drug treatment services to get people the help they need.

“There have been an increased number of deaths related to drugs in the Hartlepool area, which is part of the reason for this action and why it is all the more important to offer people treatment.”

Four people have died from drugs in Hartlepool this year alone, 19 last year, and a further 40 from 2016 and 2018.

Of the 22 people arrested, nine remain in police custody, 11 have been released under investigation pending further enquiries, a 39-year-old man was released without charge and a 25-year-old woman has been charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.Anyone with concerns in their local area are asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.