Fifteen arrested in cross-border crackdown on organised crime

Fifteen people have been arrested and drugs, weapons and stolen property recovered in Bedfordshire as part of cross-border operations targeting serious and organised crime.

Bedfordshire Police joined nationwide efforts this month to disrupt organised criminal groups exploiting the road networks to commit serious offences, particularly those involved in county lines drug supply and serious acquisitive crime.

In one night of targeted activity alone, six arrests were made following proactive vehicle stops.

Two men were arrested in Luton after officers intercepted a vehicle linked to a knife-point robbery in a neighbouring county.

In Bedford, three men were arrested after suspected wraps of cocaine, a zombie knife and a bat were found in their vehicle. In a separate stop, a teenager was arrested following the discovery of a bag containing suspected Class A drugs and hundreds of pounds in cash.

Across the two operations, police seized quantities of suspected Class A, B and C drugs along with vehicles, phones and other items believed to be linked to criminal activity.

Officers also recovered a large haul of stolen professional gardening equipment from a vehicle abandoned during a police pursuit in Aspley Guise.

Detective Superintendent Graham Bates from Bedfordshire Police, said: “Criminal networks rely on the road systems to move quickly across borders and avoid police detection, but these coordinated operations show our shared determination across forces to stop them in their tracks.

“The arrests made, disruption caused and intelligence gathered during these intensive periods of activity all contribute to long-term impact – but we won’t stop there.

“We are determined to keep the pressure on and make our county a hostile environment for criminals, to protect our communities from the harm caused by organised crime.”

Public support remains vital in tackling serious and organised crime. Report information and suspicious activity to police by calling 101 or online