Wednesday 24th April 2024

Officers from Leeds District Neighbourhood Impact Team are continuing to work alongside their colleagues in the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team to target the organised supply of drugs in Harehills.

The teams have been mounting extensive proactive patrols in the area under Operation Bakegreen, which is linked to the CommUnity Harehills initiative – a ground-breaking project utilising the Home Office ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ tactic to improve the area by dismantling serious and organised crime.

Last week saw the teams make a number of arrests for drugs-related offences.

On Tuesday, April 16, officers arrested a man in Bayswater Place on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply. A large quantity of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £5,000, was seized.

He has been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

Further proactive patrols on Wednesday, April 17, led to the arrest of a man in Ashton Grove, Harehills, and the recovery of cannabis and cash.

He was subsequently charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of criminal property in relation to the recovered cash. He was also charged with two identical offences in relation to an incident in October last year.

He appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court the following day and was remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Crown Court in May.

At the time of his arrest last week, officers also detained another man nearby who was wanted on suspicion of drugs supply offences following the seizure of 1.5kg of cannabis at an address in Harehills in December last year.

He was arrested and a further 0.5kg of cannabis was recovered during a search of an address.

He was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

He appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court the following day and was granted conditional bail to appear at Leeds Crown Court in May.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jack Pattison, of the Leeds District Neighbourhood Impact Team, said:

“During the proactive deployments last week, officers from the Leeds District Neighbourhood Impact Team working alongside colleagues from the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team, seized over £5000 worth drugs, and more than £5,000 in cash was seized acquired through criminal activity.

“The work is testament to the officers ongoing drive and commitment to protect the communities we serve, whilst disrupting serious and organised criminality to target those involved in the organised supply of drugs.”

Inspector Alastair Nicholls, of the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“As part of CommUnity Harehills, we continue to work closely alongside operational departments and partner agencies, using a range of tactics to pursue, disrupt and dismantle organised criminal groups.

“We are sending out a very clear message to criminals that drug production, cultivation and supply will not be tolerated in our local communities.

‘West Yorkshire Police will continue to pursue those who choose to disregard the law and are involved in organised criminality which causes harm in the community.

‘If you do have any information or concerns about organised crime activity, please contact West Yorkshire Police.  Alternatively, information can be provided completely anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”