Fifty wanted criminals arrested in one day in Cheshire

Operation Crossbow saw officers join together to find wanted criminals and conduct trading standards operations

Author: Natalia AntoniwPublished 6th Feb 2026

Fifty wanted criminals have been arrested and £19,000-worth of illegal products were seized during a one-day operation in Cheshire.

Over 100 officers joined together to take part in Operation Crossbow: an operation aimed at disrupting criminal activity and arresting criminals wanted for offences.

Fifty outstanding criminals were arrested.

The operation particularly focused on tracking down criminals wanted for violence against women and girls; domestic abuse; and rape and serious sexual offences.

Officers also conducted trading standards operations and visited eight retailers across Chester, Northwich and Winsford.

The findings

They found around £14k of illegal cigarettes and around £5k worth of illegal tobacco.

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