Officers in Warrington have been conducting patrols in the town centre to help ensure everyone can enjoy the night-time economy safely.
On Saturday 18 April, Warrington Town Centre Beat Team were out with specially trained drugs dogs patrolling streets and pubs. This was part of Operation Brooklyn, aimed at preventing drugs offences in the night-time economy and protecting vulnerable people.
During the evening, officers engaged with licensed premises, door staff and members of the pubic, searched numerous people and seized a range of drugs. Positive action has been taken on those individuals found in possession of these illegal substances.
The Special Constabulary team was also out in the town centre with Warrington Borough Council and Wolverhampton Council on a taxi licensing operation.
Multiple taxis were checked and action has been taken on those not complying with conditions. One vehicle was suspended for an engine management issue, two were issued with defective notices and one driver has been referred for a conduct review.
Superintendent Sam Billington said: “This was an excellent night of proactive policing in Warrington, delivering real results for our communities. Through Op Brooklyn, officers carried out 22 stop searches with the support of drugs dogs, leading to multiple community resolutions, a summons for possession offences, and the seizure of illegal drugs from our night-time economy.
“Just as importantly, this operation demonstrated the strength of our partnership working. Our Town Centre Beat Team worked seamlessly alongside the Special Constabulary, Warrington Borough Council, and colleagues from Wolverhampton Council to carry out 18 taxi licensing checks, resulting in a vehicle suspension, defect rectification notices and a driver being referred for a conduct review.
“I am extremely proud of the professionalism and teamwork shown. We will continue to take firm and visible action to tackle anti-social behaviour, disrupt criminality, and ensure taxi licensing conditions are properly enforced. If individuals or operators place the public at risk, we will identify the issues and deal with them robustly.”
