Police crackdown in south Bradford nets results (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Police crackdown in south Bradford nets results

9:26am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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More than 50 police officers descended on south Bradford yesterday to target offenders who had breached bail or failed to pay Court fines.

The second phase of Operation Lightwater saw 19 people arrested and almost £5,000 of outstanding fines recovered.

Officers also found a suspected cannabis factory at a house in Bradford Moor while searching for a man who had failed to appear in court for drugs offences.

Almost a dozen plants were discovered in a small cellar, hidden behind a bolted door and a black-out screen. Officers also found two suspected stolen motorbikes in a shed.

Two men at the property were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of class B drugs and unlawful possession of stolen vehicles.

Chief Inspector Chris Moorhouse-Everett, who made the arrests, said: “Operations like this help in several ways. Having uniformed officers on the streets increases people’s confidence.

“In many instances we make arrests that are outstanding, but we can also come across other things that acquire our attention. It’s win, win, win, really.”

Another team visited houses and flats in Manningham with a court enforcement officer to arrest offenders with outstanding fines from Bradford Magistrates’ Court – some dating back more than a year.

Inspector Andrew Gallant, who led the operation, said: “We have again taken action against those that believe they can avoid justice.

“This sends a clear message to those that are tempted to try and evade the authorities that we will find them, irrespective of the inconvenience it might cause them.”

The first phase of the operation, which took place across Airedale and north Bradford earlier this week, saw 12 arrests and a £7,200 in fines recovered.