'We're coming to get Payback' warn officers

Apr 16 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

FRESH raids were carried out yesterday as part of a police operation targeting people living on the proceeds of crime.

Officers targeted properties in South Tyneside, Gateshead and Durham after a series of similar strikes across the region a day earlier.

Northumbria Chief Constable Mike Craik watched as a house on Kendal Drive, Boldon, and a flat in Arbeia House, South Shields, were targeted.

Simultaneous raids were carried out at the Customise Sports Store, in Stanhope Road, South Shields, and a house on the same street. Whispers Bar, on Brunswick Street, and property in Brisbane Avenue, both South Shields, were also targeted, as was an address in Lanwick Drive, Jarrow.

Meanwhile, in Gateshead, four warrants were executed in Swalwell with raids on three houses on Park Terrace and one house in South View Terrace. Five people were arrested. Mr Craik said: “The results from yesterday prove that we are disrupting criminal activity across the force and ensuring our communities remain a safe place to live.

“We made eight arrests yesterday and seized drugs, cash and property, and we’re hoping for similar results today. Financial investigations are now underway. This is exactly the type of activity that the Payback initiative is all about.

“We are committed to tackling those people suspected of causing the most disruption in our communities. We won’t tolerate those people who live their lives on the back of crime while their neighbours work hard every day to earn a living. This is a warning that we are coming to get them.”

Det Chief Insp Jim McAll, of the force’s Economic Crime Department, said: “The activity to date demonstrates the force’s determination to target and deal with those who benefit from crime at every level.

“Operation Payback is aimed at highlighting the work that is carried out throughout our neighbourhoods all year round to recover assets gained through criminal activity. The action taken so far doesn’t stop here.” The new raids came after an address on Lowther Close, Ashington, was hit, with a plasma television, a Range Rover and other documents seized, and a 29-year-old man held.

In Newcastle, six simultaneous swoops were carried out on properties linked to the same individual in the city’s west end.

Officers raided three houses on Betts Avenue, two in Bilbrough Gardens and one on Slatyford Lane at around 7.30am.

A 34-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, while 200-300 pouches of tobacco were recovered, along with around £8,000 in cash.

A 49-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman were arrested at Slatyford Lane on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs, and a quantity of drugs, believed to be cocaine, was recovered along with documents relating to cash assets.

In North Tyneside, a 38-year-old man was arrested at Wark Avenue, North Shields, while a 52-year-old man was arrested at Kilburn Gardens, Percy Main, and a 23-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman held at Quay View, Wallsend.

All four were arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Officers recovered £5,000 in cash, suspected drugs, including an amount of what is believed to be cocaine and cannabis worth around £1,000.