A man suspected of robbery and two people suspected of producing cannabis are among those in Bristol who were arrested during the first days of a new policing operation in the Avon and Somerset area.
With the addition of 100 police officers and £2million in investment from taxpayers across the region, Operation Remedy was launched in a bid to crack down on the crimes that matter most to residents.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary have deployed dedicated officers, who work alongside neighbourhood policing teams, to tackle knife crime, the supply of illegal drugs, and burglary.
Multiple warrants have been executed across the force area in recent days - of which a number have seen people detained and, in some cases, charged.
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Among them was a 20-year-old man from Filton, who was suspected of carrying out a series of robberies targeting people who were selling mobile phones online.
He was charged with one count of GBH, five counts of possessing a knife in a public place, four counts of robbery, one attempt robbery and one count of theft. The charges relate to incidents in the Clifton, Harbourside and Horfield areas of Bristol, as well as Keynsham and Weston-super-Mare.
He appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Friday April 5 where he was remanded into custody pending a further hearing at Bristol Crown Court on 24 April.
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A man and a woman from Mangotsfield were also arrested during a warrant executed in the area on Thursday.
The 44-year-old man and 40-year-old woman were detained on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis after officers found 100 plants in a purpose built area underneath a garage. Both have been released under investigation to allow for further enquiries to take place.
Officers have also carried out high visibility and plain clothes patrols in known hot spot areas relating to knife possession, drugs and county line activity - including the Castle Park, the Bear Pit and areas of Weston-super-Mare.
Assistant chief constable Stephen Cullen said: “We’re aware of the national concern around knife crime and more locally burglary and misuse of drugs.
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“Thanks to the support of the public and the PCC, we have received a significant investment which we will use to tackle the crimes which most concern our communities.
“Operation Remedy will see an improved service to victims and more offenders brought to justice.”
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens: “As Operation Remedy launches, our fight against knife crime, drugs and burglary intensifies.
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“Local people want to be assured that the police are doing everything they can to tackle these issues.
“With Operation Remedy, communities will see and feel the difference in the police’s fight against crime, and we will be sending a loud and clear message to criminals that coming into our area to commit their crime is not an option.”
