Police arrests made during Thatcham operation against organised crime
Thames Valley Police coordinate efforts to combat serious crime in Berkshire
Thames Valley Police executed a dedicated "day of action" in Thatcham on 5th March, targeting serious and organised crime, resulting in multiple arrests.
Units from the Berkshire West Local Command integrated efforts to address offenders involved in drug distribution, high-value theft, and community harm.
Departments involved included Neighbourhood Policing, Proactive Crime Teams, Harm Reduction Units, and Licensing Teams.
Collaboration was established with partner agencies including West Berkshire Council, Environmental Health, Berkshire Youth, Thatcham Town Council, and the Ministry of Defence.
During the operation, two drug-related warrants were executed with suspects found possessing class A and class B drugs.
Four further arrests connected to a county drug line resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of class A drugs.
Plainclothes officers patrolling Thatcham Broadway and Northfield Road made two arrests and issued a community resolution order for shoplifting.
Licensing checks at local pubs, conducted alongside West Berkshire Council’s Licensing Department, confirmed compliance in all venues, with drug detection dogs and swabs utilized.
Officers completed 10 stop and searches, visiting 13 addresses identified with exploitation concerns.
Antisocial behaviour patrols led to three dispersal orders granted at Thatcham Broadway, Mount Road Play Park, and Henwick Sports Field.
The operation concluded with eight arrests, and five community resolution orders issued.
Superintendent Colin Hudson of Berkshire West LCU emphasized the importance of these initiatives for combating organized crime affecting vulnerable communities:
“These days of action enhance our work that goes on every day to tackle serious and organised crime across the Thames Valley."
Hudson stressed the importance of community support, encouraging residents to report drug-related activities via 101 or the police online service.