Year-long blitz on Bradford estate gangs sees more than 200 arrests

Operation Sweetgill targeted the Holme Wood estate in Bradford

A blitz targeting organised crime groups and street gangs on a Bradford housing estate has led to more than 200 arrests.

The year-long crackdown on Holme Wood which began in November 2022 led to dozens of arrests over drugs and other offences including arson and theft.

During the 12 months, police received 1,608 intelligence submissions about potential criminality in the area.

A report said West Yorkshire Police were probing 64 crimes as a result.

Details of the crackdown, known as Operation Sweetgill, are included in a report by the Safer Bradford Partnership, which will go before the city council on Thursday.

The 214 arrests included 101 in relation to drugs, 10 for arson or criminal damage and 43 for suspected robbery, burglary, car theft and fraud.

'Rigorous enforcement'

During the operation, 364 people were stopped and searched while 87 cars and 50 bikes were seized, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said the operation sought to tackle "the impact of organised crime groups and urban street gangs within the Tong and Wyke wards".

It added: "As a result of the operation and executed warrants officers are currently investigating 64 crimes, mainly possession with intent to supply/proceeds of crime/handling and theft offences.

"The overall objective of this was to tackle criminality and anti-social behaviour in the area through both early intervention and more rigorous enforcement."

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