Suspected criminals raided as part of Operation Drystone

9:16am Monday 27th October 2008

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SUSPECTED drug dealers, thieves and burglars across York had a shock wake-up call from armed police today when officers launched a dramatic series of morning raids.

Officers swooped on the homes of people suspected of so-called “quality of life crimes” such as break-ins, drugs offences and anti-social behaviour, which bring misery to local communities in the city.

More than 60 officers took part in the operation, codenamed Drystone, in one of the biggest drugs raids York has ever seen.

Officers from various departments at York Police, including neighbourhood response teams, were joined by specialist drug dog squads from Scarborough in painstaking searches of houses across the city, with around 18 properties being targeted.

The swoops are part of a continuous crackdown on criminals which will see suspects targeted day and night across York and North Yorkshire over the next year.

North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell said: “Drystone is all about building safer neighbourhoods and making sure York retains its reputation as being one of the safest cities in the country.

“Since I was appointed as Chief Constable, an operation like this has been at the forefront of my mind. We want to put the fear where fear should belong in the mind of criminals.”

* For a full report on Operation Drystone, see The Press tomorrow.