Operation Crossbow targets criminality across North Cheshire

Officers from Cheshire Constabulary have conducted an operation aimed at protecting vulnerable people and targeting criminality across the north of the county.

Operation Crossbow took place on Monday 27 January as part of Cheshire Constabulary’s ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity across the county, including those crossing the border to commit crime in Cheshire.

The operation focused on preventing criminality on the county’s road network, specifically across the north of Cheshire, including Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn. Officers also tackled anti-social behaviour involving e-scooters and e-bikes.

As part of the operation, officers also worked in partnership with colleagues from the force’s Foreign National Offender Team to conduct a number of visits to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people. This was supported by immigration officers from the Home Office.

The day involved more than 100 officers from several departments across Cheshire Constabulary. This included officers from the Northern Exploitation Team, Drone Unit, Roads and Crime, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Motorbike Unit, Special Constables and Dog Unit.

Following a morning briefing at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, officers were deployed across the north of Cheshire.

The overall results from the day included:

• 18 arrests for a variety of offences, including possession with intent to supply class B drugs, drug driving, breach of a criminal behaviour order, and criminal damage. Of these arrests, 10 were for immigration offences, including possession of counterfeit ID documents.
• 41 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) issued, including for driving with no insurance, driving with no licence, driving while using a mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt, amongst others.
• 12 vehicle seizures
• 10 e-scooters/e-bikes seized
• Three community resolutions issued for drugs offences
• The Commercial Vehicle Unit stopped 27 vehicles in total to ensure they were complying with regulations
• A number of premises in Warrington visited by Immigration officers for checks
• Speeding tickets to be issued following activations on speed camera vans and mobile speed enforcement
• Warrants executed in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn in relation to drugs offences

Chief Superintendent Alison Ross said:

“This operation was a huge success with multiple arrests, vehicle seizures, and Traffic Offence Reports issued.

“This is thanks to officers from different departments working together and I hope this sends out a strong message that if you commit crime in Cheshire, or on Cheshire’s roads, you will be caught, and we will utilise all of the tactics and resources at our disposal to ensure you are held accountable.

“As part of the day, we also raised awareness of road safety. On top of this, we utilised the Commercial Vehicle Unit to ensure vehicles were complying with regulations and tackled the use of vehicles to commit anti-social behaviour, amongst other measures.

“I hope the action taken today reassures the public that we will listen to their concerns, and I look forward to continuing with these operations in the future.”

Chief Constable Mark Roberts added:

“Operation Crossbow is just one example of the outstanding work our officers do in protecting vulnerable people and holding suspects to account.

“The day highlighted how we are committed to preventing and deterring crime and anti-social behaviour within our communities and directly respond to residents’ concerns.

“However, these are all areas which we excel at day in, day out, and are part of our everyday policing tactics to continue to keep people safe, reduce crime, and ensure Cheshire remains a hostile environment for criminals.”