First arrests in major police crackdown on crime

May 1 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

POLICE chiefs yesterday revealed they have made the first arrests in a crackdown on the top 10 criminals in every neighbourhood in the North East.

The new drive against prolific offenders was launched last week by Chief Constable Mike Craik to reassure communities that officers were tackling those who cause the most problems.

And early-morning raids on Tuesday saw seven arrests made in South Tyneside as officers seized drugs, electrical goods and £2,000 in cash.

Officers in North Tyneside also revealed they have made 100 arrests for graffiti and vandalism in the past month, following Mr Craik’s pledge to made anti-social behaviour one of his major targets in the coming year.

Council chiefs last night pledged to do whatever they could to help police target those who are causing misery in their localities. Tuesday’s raids, named Operation Oak, saw police raid 10 addresses in South Shields and in Jarrow. They came after the chief constable asked all his 39 neighbourhood police teams to draw up a list of the top 10 troublemakers in their area. Three of the seven arrested were given police warnings, one was released with no further action and two men and a woman have been released on police bail.

Yesterday neighbourhood inspector for West Shields and Riverside, Simon Charlton, said: “Operation Oak is part of our proactive approach to target problem individuals.

“The initiative was carefully planned to use our resources effectively and is only the start of improving the lives of people in the area by targeting those people who are causing the most misery and harm in neighbourhoods. This is just the beginning of our action against problem offenders in communities and sends out a clear message that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Officers in North Tyneside yesterday announced their 100th arrest as part of the Northumbria Police Enough is Enough Campaign, launched this month and aimed at reducing criminal damage.

Yesterday officers released pictures of “tags” made by vandals in the hope that people will be able to identify those responsible.

A garage door was sprayed with red paint overnight on April 22 in Stephenson Street, behind the Percy Arms in Tynemouth. Another tag was found at the Promenade in Whitley Bay on Friday. Police also found graffiti at Howdon Community Centre on Monday, and a rear fire exit door etched with the word “Hack” at Samson Close in Killingworth on April 5.

Chief Insp Vince Stubbs said: “We will deal effectively with incidents of this nature and put offenders before the courts wherever possible. We know this sort of mindless criminal behaviour can blight communities and we are working closely with partners at North Tyneside Council to ensure that these problems, once reported to us, are quickly dealt with.”

Anyone who can help police target problem individuals or identify the graffiti vandals is asked to contact their own neighbourhood police team on 0345 604-3043.

Action

COUNCIL chiefs on both sides of the River Tyne yesterday gave their backing to the police action, and pledged to help wherever they could.

Sylvia Brown, head of community services at South Tyneside Council, said: "We will do everything we can to support residents whose quality of life is threatened by the actions of a small minority, while continuing to work with our partners to ensure South Tyneside is a safe place to live, work and visit."

North Tyneside’s elected mayor, John Harrison, added: "This joint action with Northumbria Police proves once again that North Tyneside Council is determined to side with communities against the people who do not play by the rules."

100 arrests

IN the past month police across Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear have been targeting vandalism and graffiti in their ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.

The 100 arrests in North Tyneside follow incidents in which post boxes, lampposts, street signs, walls and bollards have been found daubed with spray paint, pens and boot polish. This is the fourth year force has run a campaign tackling criminal damage.