145 raids, 88 arrests...how Northamptonshire Police cracked down on crime in 100 days

Police carried out 145 raids and made 88 arrests during a "100 days" campaign cracking down on crime gangs in Northamptonshire.

Senior officers say those arrested include linchpins of organised crime gangs and a number of ‘county lines’ drugs networks have been dismantled.

The number of key players arrested in relation child exploitation, sexual abuse and violent crime will have a lasting, positive impact on communities across the county.

Identification and protection of the vulnerable has been a key aspect to police activity since the campaign launched in July. As a result, eight children have been safeguarded, including a two-year-old who was identified as vulnerable during a drugs warrant.

Northamptonshire's Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said: “Officers have worked relentlessly during the last three months and as a result some really significant arrests have been made and that includes leaders of a number of serious organised crime gangs.

“These gangs are a scourge on our society and the criminality associated with them often includes child abuse, exploitation and violent crime.

“I am confident these arrests will help make this county a safer place but this doesn’t mean we’ll be taking our foot off the gas – we will continue to take the fight to the criminals and those who seek to make personal gain by criminal means can be sure we’ll be coming after them.

“I’d like to thank the public for the phenomenal amount of intelligence which has been submitted over the past few months, driving this period of intense activity.

“Our work to fight crime and protect the vulnerable continues and I continue to appeal to local communities to submit information relating to any concerns they have in their neighbourhood, by calling 101 or submitting a report online."

One operation involving 18 warrants unearthed 2,303 cannabis plants from eight different factories — four of which were linked to organised crime.

In Northampton, more than £12k cash was recovered from an address in Cedar Road, as well as weapons, cannabis and cocaine; while 117 Class A wraps, cash and phones were recovered from an address in Kingsley Road.

Another cannabis factory was discovered at an address on Montgomery Way and one person was arrested for cannabis importation, bitcoin and dark web connections.

Six people were arrested in Kettering during one warrant and that included the principal member of an organised crime gang.

And In Corby, £65k of cash was seized during a money laundering investigation and, on the same day, a further £25k was removed from related warrants.

High value goods and £9,500 cash were recovered from an address on Crown Street in Kettering and one person was arrested.

■ Anybody wishing to report information anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.