DOZENS of officers from teams throughout Cleveland Police joined forces today in a bid to locate and arrest a number of wanted people.

On Friday, October 11, the teams headed out across the force area and by 11.30am 16 people had already been arrested, a vehicle had been seized and a suspected cannabis farm discovered.

With a number of people wanted on warrant for overdue bail, for recall to prison or after being circulated as potential suspects in on-going inquiries, notable arrests today included:

A 47-year-old man from Stockton arrested on suspicion of human trafficking; A 38-year-old Hartlepool man arrested for prison recall, whose original sentence was for an assault; A 44-year-old Stockton woman was arrested on suspicion of a £12, 000 fraud; A 25-year-old man from Hartlepool was arrested on suspicion of assault; A 21-year-old Hartlepool man was arrested on suspicion of violent offences; A 16-year-old boy from Middlesbrough was arrested for breach of bail following an alleged robbery; Two men, aged 52 and 54, were arrested at the scene of a suspected cannabis farm in Hartlepool.

Day of Action co-ordinator, Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Daryll Tomlinson, said: “Operation Phoenix has been running throughout the summer months and continues into autumn. It’s having a positive effect on improving our service to the public, helping vulnerable people, tackling serious violence and preventing crime – and we’ve seen steady reductions in demand across these key areas.

“Friday’s activity really built on the momentum we’ve already achieved with our concerted efforts over the summer. In the last three months we arrested 100 people who were wanted on warrant or for recall to prison and today we have removed more wanted people from the streets – which can only help keep our communities safe.

“I’d like to thank my colleagues from across the force for their input today, as well as the support we have received from the community.”

Teams involved included Chief Constable Richard Lewis; Response and neighbourhoods officers; CID; Economic Crime Team; Paedophile Online Investigation Team; Specialist Intelligence Unit; Operational Support Unit; Intelligence officers; armed response officers and Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit.