Crackdown on criminals

Operation Maximum Impact started with raids in Rotherham on Monday, using resources from across the force.

It yielded around 12,250 of cannabis, seizure of 13,000 of property and several anti-social contracts being handed out. The drugs raids focused mainly on Rawmarsh and Swinton.

Eleven cars were seized by police using their high-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition system in Aldwarke Road.

Nearly 200 shed and window alarms were given out to vulnerable residents as part of crime reduction initiatives in Rawmarsh and East Herringthorpe which also involved street clean-ups.

DI Eddie Murphy said: "We wanted to show residents that there is no need to hide as we are trying to improve their quality of life by targeting criminals."

Maximum Impact is taking place across Yorkshire and Humberside.

The South Yorkshire force was yesterday targeting criminals in Sheffield and officers are due in Barnsley and Doncaster over the next few days. Next week South Yorkshire police will be concentrating on violent crime.

Task Force officers, drugs officers, traffic and mounted police, council trading standards and Customs and Excise are involved in the raids this week.

Monday's arrests in Rotherham included three people for alleged theft of lead valued at around 500.

Two arrests were made of people wanted on warrant for failing to appear at court and five for drugs offences. One arrest was made for driving while disqualified.