Surrey Police target criminals using road and rail network
Nearly 200 arrests made in three-day operation with four other forces
Surrey Police has joined with a number of police forces across the South East to combat criminals who are exploiting the major road and rail networks to carry out offences.
Officers from Thames Valley, Surrey, Hertfordshire, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police were involved in the three-day initiative, which ran from 11-13 January.
The operation used Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology and police intelligence to target vehicles on arterial roads and motorways. The road network is often used to run ‘County Lines’ drug operations, so the operation focused on tackling offenders involved in drug-related harm, serious violent offending and high harm as well as serious acquisitive crime
The operation resulted in 198 arrests, including arrests for possession with intent to supply drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and robbery.
A total of 69 vehicles and 26 weapons were also seized across the five forces as well as a large quantity of drugs.
Detective Inspector Dee Fielding from Surrey Police said:
“This operation has been a very successful in disrupting and detecting some of the south east’s most serious criminal offenders. It was great to work together with other forces to make sure no suspects fell through the gaps by crossing county borders.
“Offenders should know that we work together to prevent them exploiting victims and damaging communities all across the region. This sort of organised criminal activity is not tolerated and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities.”