A Series of simultaneous early morning raids by detectives and police officers from across Leeds has led to the arrest of 14 suspected prolific burglars and car crime criminals.
In the series of coordinated raids, police also seized thousands of pounds of suspected stolen property.The police crackdown, known as Operation Champion, has been running since November and sees detectives working alongside neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs) from across Leeds three policing divisions to protect homes and property and actively target burglars and thieves across the city.
Members of West Yorkshire Police's Operational Support Unit, who are specially trained in forced entry and property search procedures, joined Leeds based officers as police resources were focused on driving down burglary across the city.
Among those arrested this morning were:
- A 48-year-old man from Butterbowl Lawn in Farnley who was arrested for handling stolen goods after a number of mobile phones, digital cameras, and DVDs were found in the property.
- Two men (aged 36 and 18) from the Belle Isle area of the city and one 34-year-old man from Barclay Street, Harehills were arrested in connection with a number of localised burglaries.
- A 40-year-old man from Lingfield Approach in the Moortown area has been arrested for money laundering and cultivation offences after cash and a number of cannabis plants were found at the address.
Following the arrest phase of the operation, large numbers of officers, including the force's mounted section, have been deployed to burglary hotspots around Leeds to carry out high visibility patrols and explain the early morning police activity to local residents.
East North East Homes Leeds will take tenancy action against any tenants involved in these offences.
Press release on Safer Leeds website