A number of items were seized by officers
I joined Humberside Police‘s covert officers on a raid at a Hull property. Going in, I had no idea what to expect, but I had heard tales of suspects attempting to escape in dramatic scenes…
The force kindly invited me to join officers as they carried out a warrant on a property of interest. I met up with the team at their station where the officers were told which address they would be attending and so far, the whole thing seemed organised and straight-forward.
We soon got into unmarked cars and made our way across the city and I wondered how smooth the rest of the operation would go. We arrived, and after just a few bashes on the front door with their battering ram, the officers stormed into the house and up the stairs.
Despite remaining outside for my own personal safety, the commotion inside the house was clear to hear for us bystanders. At this point a few nearby curtains began to twitch and a couple of confused, and presumably recently awoken, neighbours even came outside to see what was going on.
The suspect was quickly taken into a police car and driven away. After a seemingly short period of waiting outside as the officers searched the property, items including an e-bike and a rather conspicuous cash-box were brought out.
It was hard not to be impressed with the swift nature of the raid. Despite a small part of me being disappointed at missing out on any dramatic scenes, I was reassured to see officers handle everything quickly and professionally.
County Lines Intensification Week
The raid was part of the force’s County Lines Intensification Week, in which 16 people were arrested by Humberside Police on suspicion of being involved in County Lines drug dealing and the exploitation of children and vulnerable people.
The force’s efforts resulted in the seizure of more than £3,000 worth of suspected drugs, over £14,000 in cash, 38 mobile phones believed to be connected to drug supply, and weapons including a machete, an extendable baton, a knife, and an air rifle.
Explaining more about the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Swaby, who is Humberside Police’s lead for County Lines Intensification Week, told Hull Live: “County Lines is a term used for drug supply techniques where people who are not from one area will move into an area and they will start to set up phone lines where they will deal Class A drugs to users.
“The intensification period gives us the opportunity to look at all of our resources, both for the police, partner agencies but also working with local schools, train stations – our British Transport colleagues – in relation to identifying a number of people who are of interest to us and those who are vulnerable who we want to engage with. We then look at a period of enforcement and engaging with people for safeguarding purposes.
“We have at least two to three targets of an operation per day during the intensification period. We need to safeguard those who are most vulnerable in our communities. The County Lines will specifically target young people.”
A Humberside Police spokesperson said: “We continue to take all reports of suspected child criminal exploitation and drug activity seriously. If you have concerns about something happening in your area, please contact us on our non-emergency 101 number.
“If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.”
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