Operation Artemis sees 21 people arrested and potential victims safeguarded
Various teams carried out warrants and arrest attempts across the Cleveland area
A total of 21 people were arrested and potential victims were safeguarded during a dedicated Operation Artemis tackling violence against women and girls.
Officers gathered on Thursday 22nd January for a briefing at Cleveland Police HQ before they delivered early morning wake up calls to some of our outstanding suspects.
The first result came with the assistance of South Wales Police who arrested a 41-year-old man in Cardiff on suspicion of rape.
Various teams carried out warrants and arrest attempts across the Cleveland area, arresting 21 people in total for a number of offences including rape, harassment, and threats to kill.
This included the arrest of a 45-year-old man who was brought into custody to be questioned about breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO).
The force has so far secured more than 374 DAPOs since the DAPO pilot was introduced in March 2025 and we have also taken action against almost 300 breaches.
Enforcement was only one part of the day however, with officers and PCSOs visiting schools and colleges to talk about violence against women and girls.
PC Geoff Coggin or ‘Coggy’, delivered two sessions on the topic to around 300 students at Hartlepool College of Further Education. The sessions were really well-received by students with many asking questions and thanking Coggy for his input.
PCSOs and officers also visited The Northern School of Art campus in Middlesbrough and Stockton’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) also held an engagement event engagement at Wellington Square with our partner agency Harbour.
Crime prevention advice and anti-spiking tools were given at Billingham Library and Stockton Riverside College whilst a presentation was delivered to Stockton sixth form students.
PCSO Ballinger and PCSO Richardson concentrated on VAWG whilst providing literature on information and support at Teesside University.
Officers from the Matrix Team, DI Bolton and PCSO Cutter attended a Power of Women Event, where they spoke to school children helping them build confidence, communication skills and curiosity around careers, leadership and the world of work.
Pubs and businesses were also visited by our licensing team and our Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) unit checked on known offenders to ensure they are abiding by their conditions.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Harland said: “Yesterday’s Operation Artemis shone a light on the work our officers are doing day in, day out to tackle dangerous offenders and keep women and girls safe across Teesside.
“We will continue to arrest suspects, safeguard victims and challenge harmful behaviours. By working together with partner agencies and our community we can really make a difference.
“If you have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, staking or harassment and are ready to report, we are here for you. We have dedicated, specially trained officers who will listen to you, believe you, support you and protect you.”
You can find out more about how to report domestic abuse here: How to report domestic abuse | Cleveland Police
You can find out more about reporting stalking to us online here: Report stalking or harassment | Cleveland Police
Visit our website for details of organisations that can provide support, including the police: Support organisations for victims of domestic violence | Cleveland Police
Details of arrests:
- A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape of a child (South Wales arrest)
- A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape
- A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life
- A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life
- A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO)
- A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of common assault and intentional strangulation
- A 34-year-old woman was arrested on warrant
- A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), criminal damage, theft from a dwelling, theft from a person, harassment with fear of violence and attempted theft of a motor vehicle
- A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour
- A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of exposure
- A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stalking without violence
- A 20-year-old man was arrested on warrant
- A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child
- A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and harassment without violence
- A 32-year-old man was arrested on warrant
- An 18-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of rape (was born a man now identifies as a woman)
- A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of intentional strangulation, sexual assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour
- A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) and grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
- A 45-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent
- A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stalking
- A 35-year-old was also arrested and recalled to prison]