Series of arrests made after raids in the North East

POLICE action in North Tyneside has seen 24 people arrested, with Class A drugs, cash and weapons also being seized.

- OWEN YOUNGER

The arrests were made for a range of offences, including suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and money laundering. Units from the Serious Violence Disruption Unit, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, and Operation Dragoon, were also involved in the crackdown.

Officers recovered Class A and B drugs, and a large sum of cash from a house in the New York area of North Shields. Then, after executing a warrant at a flat in Wallsend, officers uncovered heroin and drug paraphernalia, with a woman being arrested.

Five wanted people were arrested in the area, and other arrests were made with weapons seized around the use of corrosive substance attacks.

Officers also delivered training to over 50 people in partner organisations around spotting the signs of criminal exploitation. Young offenders were tackled, and joint patrols with North Tyneside Council's Trading Standards team ensured retailers were complying with regulations.

Alongside Nexus, the knife arch was put in place in North Shields, to detect weapons in the area. Teams were also out engaging with schools and community centres in the area, providing reassurance and support to people and businesses in the local community.