Multiple arrests made across Teesside in raids involving South Yorkshire Police officers

More than a hundred police officers from forces all over the country have been involved in police raids in Southbank and Grangetown today

Teams have been carrying out warrants aimed at disrupting organised crime groups, and targeting drug dealing, with officers drafted in from Durham, Northumbria, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Police, as well as the National Crime Agency and North East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Several arrests have been made so far, with more expected throughout the day, while drugs, weapons and even a banned breed of dog has been seized, believed to be an XL Bully.

It's part of the force's Operation Artemis, which today has been focusing on Grangetown and South Bank, in the wake of several violent incidents which have occurred in the area over the past few months.

Cleveland Police's Superintendent Darryl Tomlinson tells us it's vital they continue to crack down on organised crime and the people involved;

"Those 130 officers are helping us, we're aware that obviously people continue to affect the community with drug dealing and crime, and serious violence,

"Today is a serious message really, that we won't stand for it, and that we'll be arresting them and bringing them to justice."

He added;

"We want to reduce the fear of crime, and we want to increase the trust and confidence that the police can have on communities

"We want to work with the communities today, to show them, to demonstrate that we're here for them, and we will tackle criminality head on."

It comes as there have been several serious incidents in the area recently, including the A66 crash which killed two police officers and five young men - and a suspected arson attack in which a girl and her aunt died.

Police investigations into both those incidents are ongoing.

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