A SPECIALIST police team set up to chase down on-the-run criminals has passed a major milestone after making its 200th arrest.

The Kirklees Police Catch and Control Team have said its operations remain ongoing after arresting 200 persons for 574 offences since it was launched this March.

The arrests included suspects wanted for offences including burglary, sexual offences, assault, violence against women and domestic abuse.

One male had been outstanding and evading justice for over three years, but was caught and is now serving a prison sentence.

Another man was outstanding for 16 offences and continuing to commit crime while wanted, but is now behind bars.

The new Catch and Control Team was formed as part of a shake-up of offender management in Kirklees.

It is a new resource provided to hunt down known offenders who refuse to engage with the terms of their bail or prison licence and show no signs of wanting to rehabilitate.

The team also assists Kirklees Neighbourhood Policing Teams to swamp an area where a crime trend, such as break-ins or car thefts, looks to be emerging.

Inspector Dale Sawdon, who leads the new Catch and Control Team, said: “This team was formed to carry out assertive, proactive policing and the fact that our officers have made 200 arrests since launch shows the impact they are having on the streets.”

 

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