Four arrests, drugs & cash seized, in early morning police raids

Four men have been arrested and about £1,500 worth of Class A drugs have been seized following a series of coordinated police raids across Hull this morning.

The Humberside Police raids, carried out by its Operation Galaxy team, were targeting county lines drug-dealing in the city.

In one raid attended by The Hull Story in Belmont Street, east Hull, a man who identified himself after answering a knock at the door was quickly handcuffed while a search of the house began.

Police later said a 23-year-old man was arrested at the property, where about £1,500 of Class A drugs were recovered and almost £600 in cash.

Elsewhere, the other arrests were of a 53-year-old man in Wath Grove, east Hull, an 18-year-old man in St Giles Court, east Hull, and a man aged 21 in Newland Avenue, west Hull.

All were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. A total of five warrants were executed and two properties searched.

GETTING READY: Police preparing to enter a property in Avon Vale, off Estcourt Street, east Hull

Speaking after the raids, Detective Inspector Simon Vickers said: “County lines drugs gangs often originate out of the area, but use the road and public transport networks and local people to supply drugs into our communities.

“Vulnerable people, often teenagers and sometimes children, are exploited into becoming involved in organised criminality, and communities can become plagued with illicit substances and anti-social behaviour that often comes from drug use and dealing.

“The impact this type of offending has on our communities is the reason we take it so seriously, and days like today help to disrupt these criminal networks and remove drugs from our streets.

“We will also work with our partner agencies to support the vulnerable people being used, as well as provide reassurance and wrap around care to our communities affected.

“Our action against drug gangs remains ongoing and we will continue to take these people, and drugs, off the streets.

“I would like to thank members of the public who have provided us with information so far, and would appeal for anyone who believes they have any information that may be able to assist with our action against drugs to contact us on 101.

“Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to police and would prefer to stay anonymous.”

In another raid witnessed by The Hull Story in Avon Vale, off Estcourt Street, east Hull, officers were confronted by a locked iron gate barring access to a ten-foot [alley].

They were about to begin cutting their way through when a neighbour appeared with the keys.

The team swiftly jogged to the back door they wanted and noisily made their entry with a crunching sound as the bottom door panel went in.

METHOD OF ENTRY: A police battering ram known as ‘the key’

Shouts of “Police!” were met with the sound of a woman screaming. She and her family had no connection to the suspect wanted under warrant, who had moved out a week earlier.

Officers stayed at the property for some time, explaining to they family why they were there, providing reassurance, and repairing the door.

Amid the commotion a cockerel began to crow in another yard. “Nothing surprises me in this job,” said one officer, laughing, as he emerged from the passage.

Sergeant Andy Clark, who led the team on the ground, said: “The planning for these jobs can take months, and sometimes there’s a gap in time when someone’s left an address, although it doesn’t happen often.

“We’ve got to be ready for every eventuality. The important thing when we go in is to make sure people know we are the police. Otherwise they might hear the door going in and think it’s someone coming to cause problems.

“It’s a dynamic entry. It’s about getting people detained quickly inside because once they’re detained they’re safe and everyone’s safe. Then we’ll clear a room and use that as a sterile area for them to go in, and we’ll either take them into custody at the time and do an initial search, or do a systematic search to detain others in the area.

“Afterwards we’ll debrief to talk about what’s good or what could have gone better. If it’s gone perfectly we want to know why it’s gone perfectly, and if it’s gone wrong, why, and if that’s because something different has happened.”