Fourteen arrested in Harrogate crime crackdown

Police raided flats in Knaresborough as part of Operation Tornado

Fourteen people have been arrested in connection with Class A drugs, burglary, shop theft, fraud and other offences in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said it was part of Operation Tornado, a large-scale operation to keep communities safe.

Those arrested include a man and a woman in their 40s who were taken into custody after police raided two flats in Knaresborough.

They are being questioned on suspicion of conspirary to supply Class A drugs and burglary, after officers recovered what is believed to be heroin and crack cocaine, along with cash and drug-related items.

Suspected stolen goods were also recovered.

Elsewhere, the force said two people were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and four arrests were made in connection with retail thefts.

Police carried out high-visibility patrols as part of the operation

The operation has also prioritised community engagement, with officers patrolling Harrogate town centre and visiting businesses to talk about crime prevention.

Harrogate-based Insp Andy Pickless-Ingram said: "Yesterday's Operation Tornado has made a significant impact on crime in a number of communities.

"Burglary, drugs, shop theft and other offences we've tackled damage communities – residents, quite rightly, want us to come down hard on the perpetrators, which is exactly what this operation is about."

A similar operation in York and Selby in April saw nine people arrested, mostly for motoring offences, and five vehicles seized.

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