Operation Crossbow targets wanted criminals across the county

Over 20 criminals wanted for numerous offences have been arrested during a day of intensified police action across Cheshire.

On Wednesday 12th November, officers from several departments across Cheshire Constabulary rolled out Operation Crossbow, a bespoke collaborative effort aiming to disrupt criminal activity across Cheshire and its borders.

The operation, which included police colleagues from roads policing, motorcycles, dogs, drones, Special Constabulary, and local policing working alongside each other, was rolled out with the goal of targeting criminals who remained wanted and had yet to be brought into police custody.

Following an 8am briefing from Chief Constable Mark Roberts and Detective Superintendent Adam Waller, the over 100 officers assigned to the deployment made their way to key locations across the county from Cheshire Constabulary’s headquarters in Winsford.

Hotspot locations known for criminality were targeted across the county, helping to disrupt various types of offending and community issues, such as drug-related activity and anti-social behaviour.

A number of proactive policing operations were also conducted, including a high-visibility community operation in Crewe Town centre and a passive drugs dog operation in Chester, with a community resolution being issued and one person being summoned to court.

Their work resulted in a number of outstanding criminals being arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.

Results included:

• x4 failing to appear in court
• x3 witness intimidation
• x2 section 18 assault
• x2 Section 39 assault
• x2 cultivation of cannabis
• x2 drugs supply
• x2 theft
• x1 fraud
• x1 possession of Class C drugs
• x1 section 47 assault
• x1 drug driving
• x1 stalking
• x1 controlling and coercive behaviour
• x1 harassment

Along with this, officers also issued seven Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) and seized three vehicles.

Two warrants were also executed at addresses in Congleton and Runcorn and a Football Banning Order was also enforced.

Detective Superintendent Adam Waller, who oversaw the operation, said:

“This day of intensified police action, directly targeting those who have made active attempts to evade law enforcement, highlights Cheshire Constabulary's continued commitment to securing justice for victims and keeping the county a hostile environment for crime.

"Over the course of the day, more than 100 officers from various specialised departments within our Constabulary covered all of Cheshire and deployed a host of tactics to disrupt criminals working in Cheshire and their efforts have resulted in 24 individuals being brought into custody in relation to a number of different offences.

"These tactics form a part of our everyday policing within Cheshire, with operations such as Crossbow acting as a real show of strength that sends a clear message to those engaged in criminal activity in our communities that they have nowhere to hide.”