Five held over internet weapons

Officers stopped and searched 168 people as part of the crackdown

Five people who posed with offensive weapons on internet sites were among 36 arrested during a police crackdown in North Lanarkshire.

More than 370 officers took part in Operation Fleet, targeting violence and anti-social behaviour, on Friday.

They raided the homes of suspected criminals, patrolled known crime hot-spots and carried out test purchases at licensed premises.

Police said they wanted to let the local communities see them in action.

Arrests were made for carrying offensive weapons, assault, shoplifting, street trading and street drinking.

The day-long crackdown, across the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Strathkelvin areas, began with dawn raids on the homes of those suspected of being involved in criminality.

Four men and a one youth were arrested by Strathclyde Police's Gangs Task Force for posing with offensive weapons on social networking sites such as Bebo and Facebook.

I think the results speak volumes Supt Henry Campbell Strathclyde Police

Elsewhere, 168 stop and searches were carried out and 228 visits were made to licensed premises.

In a bid to reassure local communities the mounted branch, the dog branch and high visibility uniformed police and plain clothes officers patrolled the streets on foot and on cycle, visiting identified crime hotspots such as parks, underpasses and shopping areas.

Traffic police were also out in force checking number plates, enforcing speed limits and targeting other driving and criminal offences.

Public reassurance

The newly formed Domestic Abuse Task Force took part in the day of action, and reassurance visits were made by officers to provide support to vulnerable victims of crime.

Supt Henry Campbell from Cumbernauld Police Office said: "Operation Fleet was a huge success and I am extremely grateful for the continued support from our partner agencies.

"Public reassurance is at the heart of our approach and throughout the day and night, we worked together closely to make communities safer by proactively addressing issues identified as priorities by local residents - violence, drugs, domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour and speeding."

He added: "Our intention was to prevent crimes and incidents from occurring.

"I think the results speak volumes and show that by working together we can disrupt those responsible for committing crime, pursue known offenders and enforce the law to hold criminals responsible for their actions."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version