Watch: Drugs raid and police crackdown sees four arrested across Harrogate

Two men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail following a drugs raid on a Harrogate flat as part of a county-wide police operation.
Police in HarrogatePolice in Harrogate
Police in Harrogate

Operation Target was rolled out across North Yorkshire for one week to crackdown on crimes related to vulnerability and exploiting vulnerable groups.

As the crackdown rolled into Harrogate, officers from the Special Constabulary were sent out to action search warrants at two flats in Harrogate centre.

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A search in one of the properties led to the arrest of two men, aged 21 and 26, on suspicion of supplying class B drugs.

Police in HarrogatePolice in Harrogate
Police in Harrogate

Both men have been released on bail.

Running from 8am to midnight the Operation also saw the Roads Policing Group, Road Crime Team, Rural Task Force, Firearms Support Unit, and Neighbourhood Policing Teams join local policing teams.

In the morning, roads policing officers carried out speed enforcement activity around Pannal and mobile patrols were also sent out to focus on drink and drug drivers and those using their mobile phone behind the wheel.

A 21-year-old man from Huby was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the prescribed limit for drugs and currently remains on police bail.

Police in HarrogatePolice in Harrogate
Police in Harrogate
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Officers also contacted potential victims of bogus doorstep callers to offer crime prevention advice and encourage people to sign up to North Yorkshire Community Messaging – a system that allows members of the public to receive alerts about crime and incidents in their area.

The evening shift saw officers and specials from local teams conducting high visibility patrols to detect drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

Just before midnight, officers used ANPR technology to find and arrest a 53-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

The man was also arrested for altering his number plate to evade detection and for breaching his bail conditions not to enter a specific area.

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Inspector Rich Champion, said: “Operation Target has provided the local teams with a boost of coordinated resources which has resulted in extra enforcement.

“The week-long operation looked to engage with local communities and strengthen their resolve against those individuals who target the vulnerable.

“Officers have been speaking to local residents, encouraging them to report any suspicious activity and to sign up for North Yorkshire Community Messenger.

“High visibility patrols have both acted as a deterrence and reassurance and enabled vital intelligence to be gathered to inform future police activity.”