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Thirty arrested in county lines clampdown

Charles Heslett
BBC, Yorkshire•@CharlesHeslett
Reporting fromBradford
West Yorkshire Police The backs of police officers in black stab vests going through a white PVC front door of a home. West Yorkshire Police
Raids were carried out on a number of properties thought to have links with county lines gangs

Thirty people have been arrested in Bradford after police targeted county lines gangs based in the city.

Officers also seized more than £30,000 in cash as well as a number of weapons and a "significant amount" of Class A drugs in a three-week operation aimed at disrupting serious and organised crime.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Mark Atkinson said: "This wasn't just about arrests and seizures, it was about long-term disruption and safeguarding people who are vulnerable."

He said 18 drug dealing lines had been identified and, of the 30 people arrested, 20 had been charged and remanded in custody.

A man wearing glasses and a blue suit jacket and white shirt with a light brown tie in front of yellow background.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Atkinson who is the head of Operation Keyside

Two of those arrested have already pleaded guilty in court and will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 29 July.

Weapons including two firearms, a zombie knife, a knuckleduster, a machete and two axes were also seized.

Nine vulnerable people, many of them children, were also identified and safeguarded, according to West Yorkshire Police.

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