Proactive policing to be the ‘new normal’ as £5m of drugs taken off the streets in two months
PROUD OF OPERATION’S SUCCESS: Chief Superintendent Darren Downs
A police operation that was expanded during lockdown shows no sign of easing as arrests, charges, and seizures of weapons and drugs continue to mount.
Operation Galaxy was launched by Humberside Police in October to proactively target criminals, and was boosted by Chief Constable Lee Freeman after lockdown was imposed, which saw a not unexpected reduction in shoplifting, domestic burglary, traffic incidents and offences, and antisocial behaviour.
After further extensions, the force has today shared further tangible proof of its Operation Galaxy success, with latest figures for just the last two months showing:
751 arrests for offences including drugs, robbery, burglary, sexual offences and theft
An estimated £5m of drugs seized, mostly cannabis from factories discovered through warrants, but also cocaine and heroin
234 people charged with crimes and currently going through the courts
153 warrants executed at properties across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire
Weapons seized including a hand gun, a shot gun, an air rifle, two Tasers, an imitation hand gun, PAVA Spray, four knuckle-dusters, four bladed weapons, a machete, and an axe
More than 46 people detained on fail to appear warrants
Chief Superintendent Darren Downs, who is leading the expanded initiative, said: “The expanded Galaxy team was an idea that came from our Chief Constable Lee Freeman, as to how we could maximise on the reduction of crime during the lockdown period, and also send a very clear message to criminals as restrictions were eased that we would not tolerate any form of criminality.
“I wanted to continue with the already established Galaxy team, but add more resources from across the force to the team to be able to make a real impact and deliver highly visible, proactive target-driven policing, to let criminals know how hard it would be for them to operate in across the Humberside force area.
“I developed our plans so that they had three main objectives and that the team’s work would focus on these areas of crime – serious acquisitive crime such as burglary and theft, sexual offences including possession of indecent images and inciting sexual activity, and dismantling organised crime groups involved in drugs and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
“This was because these crimes and offences cause the most significant harm to our communities, and also to enable us to concentrate on the criminals that are active within the force boundary area.”
As well as Galaxy providing one of the highlights of his 28-year career with the force, Chief Supt Downs said morale was also high among the frontline teams making the arrests and taking part in raids.
He said: “They love the buzz of putting doors in and getting drugs and weapons off the streets. It’s why you join up. Most people join the police because they want to catch bad guys and put them in prison. We are protecting our communities.”
With the operation’s latest expansion on May 26, the day to day running of Galaxy was set up along the conventional operational command structure of gold, silver, and bronze teams.
Gold command has overall responsibility and strategic oversight, giving direction and guidance to ensure the operation runs smoothly on a daily basis, and objectives are continuously being achieved.
Silver is the heart of the operation, headed and coordinated by superintendents Jo Roe and Matt Peach. Bronze are the officers and staff out on the frontline.
Chief Supt Downs said a lot of the work was intelligence-led, but information was also being provided by the public, who have been supportive.
He said: “What I wanted to make absolutely sure, and what was a key part of the planning process and at the heart of all activity, was how we engaged with our local communities and explained what was happening in their area and why, and how they could help going forward."
“Neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs) have been pivotal for this element of the operation and their accessibility and visibility absolutely vital for community engagement.”
Asked if the force could continue this level of pressure on criminals as service demands began to return to pre-lockdown levels, Chief Supt Downs said: “There isn’t an end goal. The goal is to make it business as usual, moving towards proactive policing as the new normality.
“Our priority will always be to keep the public safe and to protect vulnerable members of our community, and our aim is to make a real difference for the future, and to create a legacy that means we have a ‘new norm’ in tackling and reducing crime.”