Over 1,000 stops carried out during immigration crackdown in Cheshire
600 people and 483 vehicles were checked
More than 220 officers took part in a month-long operation across Cheshire targeting organised immigration crime and helping keep people safe in town centres and night-time venues.
Between 13th February and 15th March, Cheshire Police’s Foreign National Offender Team, with support from Home Office Immigration, carried out 24 proactive deployments across the county.
The work focused on immigration checks on delivery drivers to make sure they were legally allowed to work in the UK and were not being exploited under modern slavery offences.
Officers also focused on tackling violence against women and girls during the operation.
Arrests and checks across Cheshire
The operation led to 600 people and 483 vehicles being stopped.
Those stops resulted in 27 arrests, including 11 directly linked to immigration offences and illegal working.
Officers also completed 150 immigration status checks with the National Command and Control Unit.
A further 80 traffic reports were issued, 38 stop searches were carried out, and 28 vehicles were seized, including cars and e-bikes.
Local authority CCTV operators also supported the deployments by monitoring areas in real time to help prevent crime and allow officers to respond quickly to any emerging problems.
Specific cases during the operation
During a deployment on 21st February, officers found a 16-year-old boy drinking at a commercial premises in Crewe.
He was taken home by officers and Trading Standards has since been contacted regarding a review of the premises’ licence.
On the same evening, a 62-year-old man from Shrewsbury was arrested by Operation Ascertain officers at Chester Railway Station after reports of a sexual assault by touching.
He was also arrested on suspicion of aggravated public order and Section 39 assault.
British Transport Police is progressing the investigation.
On 29th February, officers in Halton stopped a registered sex offender who was found to be driving without insurance and a licence.
He has since been summonsed to court.
On 15th March, officers arrested a 29-year-old man from the Ashton-in-Makerfield area of Wigan on suspicion of possession of cannabis.
He has since been issued with a community resolution.
What Cheshire Police said
Detective Sergeant Lauren Henthorn said: “Conducting over 1,000 individual stops is no small feat, and these results were only possible due to the combined efforts of the officers deployed across the county and the support of our partner organisations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for helping us achieve such outcomes.
“The work carried out under Operation Ascertain forms just one part of our wider ongoing efforts to keep residents across Cheshire safe and ensure that those working within our towns are doing so legally and safely, without being exploited for free labour.
“We often find that those involved in the exploitation of vulnerable people are also linked to other forms of criminality, including wide-scale drug and human trafficking offences. This is why we remain committed to doing all we can to identify those responsible.
“I also hope these results provide reassurance to residents county-wide that officers are out in their communities and night-time economy settings, working proactively to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves without fear of having their night disrupted or ruined by those who do not know how to behave.”
Detective Chief Inspector Danielle Knox, of the Force Intelligence Bureau, said: “Operation Ascertain shines a spotlight on the work our officers do every single day of the year to protect and safeguard vulnerable people in Cheshire.
“In line with Cheshire Constabulary’s core principles, a key focus of this operation was ensuring that women, girls, and everyone enjoying our night-time economy venues across the county can do so without risk of harm.
“While this operation represents just a snapshot of a month of deployments, this is very much business as usual for us, and we will always do everything we can to keep our residents safe.”
Anyone with information relating to child abuse or exploitation, or concerns about someone’s safety, is being asked to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or report it online through the force website.
Information can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.