Suspected robbers arrested

Suspected robbers arrested after a coordinated strike day to protect North East communities.

Four men aged between 20 and 27, were arrested as part of a complex partnership investigation spanning regions. 

Early this morning (Friday), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), supported by North and West Yorkshire Police, and the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YROCU), carried out strikes on two addresses in Dewsbury and Batley.

The police strikes saw early morning custody cells reserved for the group, who are believed to be linked to a wide-scale robbery operation across the North East targeting sellers of mobile phones.

Searches of the properties resulted in the seizure of multiple mobile phones.

The four arrested currently remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

NEROCU Detective Constable Andy Thompson said: “These arrests have been a fantastic display of partnership working. This has been a complex investigation with weeks of planning to ensure the strike day went smoothly.

“I want to thank everyone who worked on this operation to ensure a successful arrest phase and we hope this reassures our communities that we will transcend regional borders to protect the North East from suspected criminality.”

NEROCU Detective Inspector Gillian Coulson added: “Work just like today will continue under the banner of Operation Sentinel – our regional approach to disrupting and tackling all forms of Serious and Organised Crime here impacting the North East.”

Anyone who has any information about criminal activity, can report it to their local police or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.