PERSPECTIVE:

Twenty-nine people have been arrested, and 25 of those subsequently charged and remanded after officers seized an estimated £2,160,200 worth of cannabis in our area as a part of a national operation involving all 43 police forces to dismantle cannabis farms operated by organised crime groups across the country.

Since Thursday 1 June, officers have been working with forces across the country to target and tackle the gangs operating in our area.

As a part of the co-ordinated response, officers executed warrants at 28 properties in a number of locations across the force area including:

• Moorwell Road, Fox Street, Sheffield Street, Doncaster Road, Marlowe Road, Grange Lane South, Queen Street in Scunthorpe.

• Brookyln Street, Louie Street, Plane Street, Croyland Avenue, Hessle Road, York Street, Thoresby Street, Ryde Avenue, Park Road in Hull.

• Dudley Street and Castle Street, Grimsby.

• Carlisle Street, Goole and Stamford Bridge in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Whilst searching the properties during the monthlong intensification period, officers recovered 4,321 cannabis plants of varying yield, weapons including a friction lock baton, handmade spear and an air rifle.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Gawthorpe said: “This has been a vast operation, taking months in the planning and gathering of intelligence and information.

“Tackling drug crimes within the Humberside force area is a priority for us as it has a big impact on local communities, anti-social and disruptive behaviour often follows drug use and dealing.

“The community impact this type of offending has is the reason we will continue to do everything we can to disrupt these criminal networks, removing them, and the drugs they supply and distribute, from our streets.

“Importantly the operation also opened windows of opportunity for us together with the wider Community Safety Partnership to identify and safeguard vulnerable members of the community targeted by these gangs”.

We would always encourage you to report any offences to us so we can build the bigger picture and take action.

You can provide information to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or on the website www.crimestoppers.org.uk