Weapons and drugs seized during Cleveland Police raids

Cleveland Police made two arrests and recovered drugs and weapons after smashing their way onto two properties.

A sword, machete, and hammer were discovered stashed inside one house suspected to be used to supply drugs.

The landlord of the neighbouring house welcomed the police raid after his tenants were being hassled by people coming and going at all times of the day and night.

door getting smashed on Angle Street, Middlesbrough (Image: Graeme Hetherington)

Speaking outside the address on Bishopton Road, Stockton, the man said: “It is so good to see action being taken.

“This has been going on for weeks and they have been upsetting my tenants. People have been climbing through the windows to get their drugs.

“One bloke tried to get into my property but thankfully, the woman and her partner were able to get him back out of the house.”

Rear door being forced at the property on Bishopton Road, Stockton (Image: Graeme Hetherington)

The raids took place at part of the latest Operation Artemis event, this time was focussing on child exploitation in criminality.

Two people were arrested at the property on Bishopton Road where drugs, weapons, and cash were recovered.

Weapons seized from the house on Bishopton Road, Stockton (Image: Graeme Hetherington)

A raid on a second house on Angle Road, Middlesbrough, resulted in the recovery of suspected drugs but the house was empty at the time.

Female being arrested at the house on Bishopton Road, Stockton (Image: Graeme Hetheringto)

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chatterton, of the force’s complex exploitation team, said the operation was focussing on education as well as targeting organised crime gangs.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

• Drug user armed himself with Samurai sword after nailed-cricket bat attack
• An aggressive beggar has been jailed after he was caught boozing in the street

• Motorcyclist pleads guilty to killing pedestrian in Darlington town centre

​🌟 Flash Sale Alert! 🌟 Dive into the heart of your community with a digital subscription to The Northern Echo! For a limited time only, enjoy 4 months of unlimited access for just £4 or enjoy 40% off an annual subscription. Click here.

The senior officer said exploitation comes in many different forms, from being used as a drug runner for a gang to using extreme violence against rivals or giving young people gifts of cash, trainers, or drugs to carry out jobs.

He said: “This is about raising awareness to children, to the public and professionals, to get people to speak out and stop child exploitation.

“We have had a number of warrants executed this morning which were identified are being connected to organised crime groups exploiting children.

“They have been successful as we have found drugs and weapons in some of the addresses as well making a couple of arrests.”