Woman arrested during Operation Drive

If you bring harm to our communities then we will come for you.

That’s what one woman found this morning when she got a knock on the door from the big red key after officers executed a warrant at her address in Chester-le-Street.

Officers, including PD Nala, recovered various illegal drugs and paraphernalia including a loaded heroin syringe and a meat cleaver from behind the sofa.

The 43-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug and taken into custody where she was dealt with.

The warrant was executed as part of Operation Drive which aims to address community concerns such as anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, drug-related issues, traffic offences, and crime prevention.

As part of the action, PCSOs carried out additional foot patrols and our roads policing officers conducted a number of vehicle checks throughout the day.

A total of two cars were seized for having no insurance, four drivers reported for vehicle defects, six reported for traffic offences including speeding, having defunct tyres and using a mobile phone whilst driving and one given a warning.

A further two people were stopped and searched and 18 given fixed penalty notices for a range of offences including driving down pedestrianised areas.

Chester-le-Street Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Hogg, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe within their community – anti social behaviour is not something that people should have to put up with.

“If people are prepared to commit crime, then they need to be prepared to accept that we will catch them and make them face up to the consequences of breaking the law.

“I would like to thank the public for all their continued help and support.”

Anyone with any information about anti-social behaviour happening in their area should call 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can share information via the live chat facility on our website at https://www.durham.police.uk/