County-wide collaborative immigration and safeguarding operation yields positive results

Operation Ascertain was launched across the county over the weekend, with officers focusing their efforts on organised immigration crime within the delivery sector and safeguarding people within our night-time economy venues.

On Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February, officers from the Foreign National Offender Team, local Beat Management and Home Office Immigration were deployed to Widnes, Warrington, Crewe, Chester and Ellesmere Port as part of Operation Ascertain.

Officers were deployed to the areas between 7pm and 3am to conduct immigration checks on delivery drivers, ensuring they were legally allowed to work in the UK and were not being exploited under modern day slavery offences.

Officers were also supported by local authority CCTV officers, who monitored the areas in real-time allowing for the prevention of crime and rapid response to any ongoing incidents.

Over 70 checks were conducted over the course of the two nights, with immigration checks being completed alongside colleagues from the National Command and Control Unit’s Immigration Enforcement.

Results included:

• Over 30 stop searches completed
• x3 Community Resolutions being issued in relation to the possession of drugs
• x5 traffic reports being issued
• x4 vehicles seized
• x1 dispersal notice issued

Two arrests were also made during the operation:

A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and has since been bailed by immigration teams.

A 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He has also since been released on bail.

In line with the Constabulary’s force priority, there was a particular focus on tackling violence against women and girls, with officers out in force in proximity to nighttime economy venues ensuring everyone remained safe.

No offences were reported.

Sergeant Lauren Henthorn, of the Foreign National Offender Team, said:

“Operation Ascertain forms part of our wider ongoing efforts to crack down on those who are intent on exploiting vulnerable people and ensuring those who work within this sector are correctly licensed and working safely. This operation was also an opportunity to ensure that everyone making use of our nighttime economy venues was doing so safely and responsibly.

“I hope this operation highlights to members of the public the volume of work that goes into keeping our residents safe from those who are intent on causing risk and harm to our communities.”

Chief Inspector Rob McLoughlin, Local Policing Unit Commander for Warrington, added:

“These operations have been a truly collaborative effort, and a major factor in their success has been the invaluable contribution of our town centre CCTV operators. 

"In operations like these, where real-time monitoring across large areas is essential, CCTV teams play a vital role in preventing crime and promoting safety across the nighttime economy, retail environments, and especially in safeguarding women, girls, and vulnerable people.”