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A series of warrants were executed across the county today (Wednesday 8th May 2013) under Operation Harness.
Operation Harness is a long-term collaborative operation designed to increase engagement with local communities and incorporate on-going initiatives focusing on different elements of policing.
These elements will include warrants executed based on community-led intelligence and other areas of policing such as night time economy, anti-social behaviour and traffic issues.
The operation will encompass the whole of Wiltshire Police – involving officers and staff from across the organisation, Chief Constable Pat Geenty and Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire Angus Macpherson.
It will also involve working alongside several partnership agencies including local councils, the Swindon Community Safety Partnership, Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership, housing associations, charities and community groups.
A number of warrants were executed this morning as the first stage of Operation Harness.
Warrants were executed at residential addresses in Swindon and Trowbridge.
As a result of these warrants;
- 22 addresses were searched
- 13 people were arrested – reasons for arrests included suspicion of handling stolen goods, possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, possession of drugs, money laundering, cultivation of cannabis and possession of firearm (believed to be a stun gun)
- Drugs were seized at 13 addresses
- 2 Hydroponics set ups (used for the cultivation of cannabis) were dismantled.
- Approximately £2,000 cash seized.
- Operation Harness leaflets were delivered to approximately 1,000 addresses.
Local Policing Commander Temporary Chief Superintendent Paul Mills said: “The execution of warrants across our county today was the first stage of Operation Harness and highlights the importance of community-based intelligence.
“I hope that these warrants and subsequent arrests act as a stark warning to those in our communities who break the law by supplying or possessing drugs or firearms and those believed to be involved in money laundering.
“I would also urge anyone who thinks they have information of value to the police to contact us immediately – as these warrants have shown, we will act on the information you provide.
“The execution of these warrants is part of a number of days of action that the Force will be undertaking under Operation Harness.
“All information given to Wiltshire Police will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
Anyone wishing to report anything they believe to be suspicious, should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.
For more information on Operation Harness, log onto www.wiltshire.police.uk and follow the Op Harness link. Members of the public can also follow the results from Op Harness by visiting the Wiltshire Police Facebook (www.facebook.com/wiltshirepolice) and Twitter page (@wiltshirepolice). |
