Operation Tornado lands in Whitby and Scarborough as police target drugs, crime and anti-social behaviour

Led by Chief Constable Tim Forber, the operation boosts neighbourhood policing with additional and specialist resources to target a range of priority issues in one of the three command areas covering the force.

The first incident was a drugs warrant at St Mary’s Crescent, on the East Side of Whitby, assisted by the Neighbourhood Support Unit and with the Chief Constable taking part.

This led to the arrest of a 48-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man on suspicion of possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property following the seizure of a large amount of cash.

Following questioning in custody, the suspects were later released under investigation while police enquiries continue.

During the evening and into the early hours of Thursday (July 16), another drugs warrant was executed on Longwestgate in Scarborough.

Five arrests were made on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis - a 34-year-old woman, a 16-year-old boy, and three 15-year-old boys.

The woman was also arrested for possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and other suspected offences. She remains in custody for questioning.

The teenage boys have been released under investigation with appropriate safeguarding measures put in place.

Operation Tornado also brought a focus on retail crime in both Whitby and Scarborough town centres, involving high-visibility patrols which allowed the teams to positively engage with the business community and shoppers.

There was also an undercover aspect, with plain clothes officers actively hunting for known and suspected offenders with support from North Yorkshire Council’s CCTV operators.

This led to two arrests in Scarborough town centre, one man in relation to conspiracy to supply drugs, and another man who was subject to an arrest warrant for failing to appear at court.

Down at Whitby harbour, a multi-agency Operation Seabird event was staged to raise awareness to help keep marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and seals safe from human disturbance.

There were also large groups of school children who learned about the issues, along with tourists from around our region, from Scotland, and even Canada.

Throughout the day and into the evening in both towns, patrols were carried out at locations with anti-social behaviour issues.

This then merged into the night-time economy safety patrols as hundreds of football fans headed to local pubs and bars to watch England play Argentina for a place in the World Cup final.

Linked to this was a drink and drug drive operation by the Roads Policing Unit, who also carried out night-time patrols along the Cleveland Police border to the north of Whitby.

Chief Constable Forber said: “It’s always a pleasure to bring Operation Tornado back to Whitby and Scarborough and show that North Yorkshire Police is at the very heart of the community.

“We are relentless in our efforts to deter, disrupt, and detect criminality and anti-social behaviour.

“My stark warning to the offenders is this: if you come to North Yorkshire, you will be arrested, and we will do everything in our power to bring you to justice.”