North East police reaffirm commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in South Tyneside
Police forces across the North East have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling serious and organised crime through Operation Sentinel.
Police are continuing to back Operation Sentinel as they look to tackle serious and organised crime across the North East - including in South Tyneside.
Launched in 2019, the initiative has looked to tackle drug supply, exploitation, cyber and economic crime.
Under the Operation Sentinel banner, officers target suspects, protect the vulnerable, prevent crime and dismantle the illicit operations harming the region’s communities.
In the last year, Operation Sentinel has seen North East criminal sentenced to a total of 1,388 years in prison, £13,281,192 in cash seized, 1,057kg of drugs seized, 218 weapons seized, and 320 children safeguarded.
In South Tyneside, the operation has recently seen a suspected drug dealer arrested in South Shields as police seized £25,000-worth of illicit substances.
‘Our efforts won’t stop here’
The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Cleveland Police, Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police are the powers behind Operation Sentinel.
This week, they’ve all reaffirmed their commitment to prioritising the fight against serious and organised crime across the region.
Andy Reynolds, NEROCU Superintendent, said: “We have a duty to protect the North East from the devastating impact serious and organised crime can have on communities.
“Organised criminals often try to evade police by crossing borders to carry out their illegal operations – Operation Sentinel puts an end to that.
“We work as a united front with our regional police forces by bringing together our expertise, resources, and technology and skills to disrupt and dismantle these illicit gangs.
“Recent figures are just a taste of what we’re capable of and our efforts won’t stop here.”
‘We are sending a defiant message’
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, added: “Serious and organised crime can have a devastating impact on our communities and collectively through Operation Sentinel we are relentlessly pursing those responsible.
“We are sending a defiant message to those behind this type of activity that there is absolutely no place whatsoever for you here in the North East. By working together to maximise our robust response we ensure there are no hiding places.