North East police reaffirm united front against Serious and Organised Crime under Operation Sentinel

Since its inception in 2019, Operation Sentinel has led the regional charge against organised crime, including drug supply, exploitation, and cyber and economic crime.

The robust initiative was launched to target suspects, protect the vulnerable, prevent crime and dismantle the illicit operations harming North East communities.

In the last year alone, Operation Sentinel has seen criminals 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 – and the good work isn’t slowing down.

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Cleveland Police, Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police are the powers behind the initiative and this week have reaffirmed their commitment to prioritising the fight against Serious and Organised Crime.

NEROCU Superintendent Andy Reynolds, 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.”

As well as pursuing offenders, Operation Sentinel is also about ensuring police do everything they can to prevent organised crime from happening and people becoming victims. This includes inputs to communities such as schools, care homes, bank training and cyber workshops for businesses.

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “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.

“As well as bringing offenders to justice, through Sentinel we also want to help prevent people becoming involved in this type of activity, including through education and highlighting how serious and organised crime can destroy lives.

“This is a collective effort – bringing all forces in our region and other partners together – to keep our communities safe.”

Detective Chief Inspector Lindsay Brown of Durham Constabulary said: “Serious organised crime has a devastating impact on communities, and we will not tolerate those who attempt to bring fear, harm and misery to the North East.

“Operation Sentinel demonstrates our determination to take decisive action – working across force boundaries, sharing intelligence and combining our collective capabilities to dismantle criminal networks and hold offenders to account.

“Our work does not stop at enforcement. We are committed to preventing organised crime, protecting those at risk of exploitation and supporting communities to recognise and report suspicious activity. Together, we will continue to disrupt criminals and ensure they have nowhere to hide.”

Cleveland Police’s Director of Intelligence Kate Rennie, said: “Our local residents can be assured that Cleveland Police is wholeheartedly committed to tackling serious and organised crime, and to protecting people and communities.

“Offenders know no boundaries but by working with our regional colleagues we have strength in numbers, and we can maximise our success by sharing information, physical and technological resources, and expertise. We’re pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Operation Sentinel and will continue our work with NEROCU, Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police as this initiative goes from strength to strength.”

If you have any concerns or information about organised crime, please reach out to your local police force via their website or 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.