North Yorkshire Police's 'Operation Tornado' sees 8 arrests in York and Selby
Drugs, burglary and cycle crime were targeted during a 24-hour Operation Tornado
York and Selby saw a major police operation yesterday (3 September) as officers carried out 24 hours of high-visibility patrols, targeted warrants and community engagement in the city centre.
In total, eight arrests were made for a range of offences including drug offences, theft and cycle crime. Three warrants were also executed — two in York and one in Tadcaster.
The day formed part of Operation Tornado, which rotates around North Yorkshire each month, bringing extra resources to one area to tackle crime.
Chief Constable Tim Forber joined officers early in the day as they carried out a raid at a Clifton address linked to money laundering. Another warrant in Tang Hall led to the discovery of “a couple 100 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, four machetes, a sword and approximately £1000 in cash.” Four people, including two teenagers, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Elsewhere, cycle crime and road safety were the focus of a large engagement event outside York Minster, led by York’s new beat Inspector, Jen Stockwell. Officers used anti-tamper stickers and registered bikes on the BikeRegister database, while also patrolling in plain clothes to catch offenders. One man in his 30s was arrested after CCTV operators spotted him riding a stolen electric bike. He has since been charged and remanded in custody.
In Tadcaster, a warrant on Kelcbar Close was carried out in connection with drug supply, while patrols in the town led to the arrest of a man in his 30s after £500 worth of meat was stolen from Sainsbury’s.
As night fell, burglary prevention became the priority, with specialist teams patrolling villages near the South and West Yorkshire border using drones and night-vision goggles.
Chief Constable Tim Forber said:
“ Operation Tornado bolsters the daily work of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams by increasing the visibility.
“Alongside the proactive operations to target criminals we had the community engagement event outside York Minster. These events show the public what we are doing to drive down crime and keep them safe.
“It’s important that the public know that if you’re a criminal in North Yorkshire we will make it as difficult as possible to operate here."