A total of 18 offenders were arrested after Police carried out a day of intensified proactive policing across Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn as part of Operation Crossbow.
The force’s second Crossbow deployment of 2026 took place today, Monday June 8, targeting outstanding wanted criminals, tackling criminality in town centres and retail areas, and addressing road safety concerns across North Cheshire.
More than 140 officers took part in the operation, supported by specialist teams including the Constabulary’s Bike Units, who also assisted with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Two-Wheels Week of Action aimed at tackling the misuse of illegal e-bikes, e-scooters and Sur-Rons.
The day began with a briefing at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of Warrington Wolves, attended by senior police leaders and local Members of Parliament. Addresses were delivered by Chief Constable Mark Roberts, North Cheshire Area Commander Superintendent Sam Billington and Inspector Matt Lagar before officers deployed across the region.
During the operation, officers made 18 arrests for offences including theft, criminal damage, domestic abuse assault, fraud, stalking, indecent exposure and possession of indecent images.
Further arrests were made for dangerous driving, drug driving, possession of cannabis and possession of a prohibited firearm. Several people were also detained on outstanding warrants or recalled to prison for breaching licence conditions.
Road traffic enforcement activity resulted in 23 Traffic Offence Reports being issued for offences including using a mobile phone while driving, driving without insurance, failing to wear a seatbelt and driving without due care and attention.
Officers also responded to a number of incidents involving vulnerable members of the public, providing assistance to an unconscious man and another who suffered a seizure following a road traffic collision.
In Runcorn, officers engaged with a vulnerable 56-year-old man near the Silver Jubilee Bridge before arranging for him to be taken to hospital by ambulance crews.
Meanwhile, officers responding to a shoplifting report at a supermarket in the Bankside area of Warrington discovered the 44-year-old suspect was also wanted by Greater Manchester Police in connection with exposure offences.
In Widnes, officers carrying out checks at an address linked to a wanted person discovered a large quantity of cannabis along with drug-related paraphernalia.
Neighbourhood and response officers also visited more than 100 retailers across the area, offering crime prevention advice and distributing Operation Retail packs to strengthen partnerships with local businesses.
Superintendent Sam Billington said: “Operation Crossbow is our opportunity to highlight to our partners and the residents of Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes the efforts put in by our officers 365 days a year to keep them safe and make the area a hostile environment for criminality.
“This day of intensified action saw officers from a range of departments come together with a common goal – bringing wanted criminals to justice and disrupting offending across our communities.
“It was also fantastic to see some of our newest recruits playing an active role in one of the largest proactive operations carried out in North Cheshire. Their efforts, alongside those of experienced officers and staff, helped ensure 18 people were brought into custody.
“Due to the pressure applied by officers across the county, several wanted individuals also chose to hand themselves in at police help desks.
“While the proactive phase of the operation has concluded, officers and staff will continue working into the night to process those arrested and complete all necessary follow-up actions.”
