Operation Bigwing targets criminals across mid Cheshire
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Seven people have been arrested today (Thursday 17 October) and more than £500,000 seized as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity across Northwich and Winsford.
Operation Bigwing was launched by officers from Northwich Local Policing Unit following information from our ‘Residents Voice', with the aim of making the local area an even safer place to live, work, and visit.
The operation involved several departments from across the force, including Northwich Proactive CID, the Roads and Crime Unit, the Police Dogs, Hidden Harm Team, Special Constabulary, and local Beat Team.
The operation kicked off at around 7.30am when officers raided three addresses in Winsford following a five month investigation by Northwich Proactive CID in relation to an organised crime gang which is believed to have been operating in the area.
The raids at three homes on Cotswold Way, Beckenham Grove and Westminster Grove, resulted in the arrest of five people and the recovery of a number of items under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including three high value cars, several large televisions, clothing, and other high value items.
Approximately £20,000 of cocaine was also discovered at one of the addresses.
The two men, aged 39 and 35, and three women, aged 39, 39 and 34, were all arrested on suspicion of money laundering. All are currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries.
As well as the warrants in Winsford, officers also executed another two warrants at addresses on Beaufort Close, Hartford, and Rilshaw Lane, Winsford.
During the raid in Hartford, officers arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
Meanwhile, More than £500,000 cash was recovered from the address on Rilshaw Lane and a 75-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of concealing criminal property.
Following on from the success at the warrants, Special Constables and passive drugs dogs were also deployed to Winsford and Northwich train stations throughout the day, checking for anyone suspected of using the network to transport illegal drugs into the local area.
In addition to the railway network, officers from the Roads and Crime Unit were also deployed to several key routes into the area, identifying any offences committed by drivers. Officers stopped a number of motorists for a variety of offences including drug driving.
The team also used ANPR technology to identify any vehicles suspected of being involved in the county lines drugs dealing.
Meanwhile, officers from the Hidden Harm Team conducted visits to five premises to check for vulnerable people at risk of exploitation.
As well as targeting offenders, officers from the local Beat Teams, supported by Special Constables, conducted reassurance patrols following the raids in Winsford, engaging with local residents to help to gather further intelligence.
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Following the operation, the Detective Sergeant who led the warrants on Cotswold Way, Beckenham Grove and Westminster Grove, said:
“These three warrants this morning in Winsford are the culmination of a detailed investigation into an organised crime gang who we believe have been operating in the local area.
“Our enquiries show that this group has handled hundreds of thousands of pounds in recent years, despite most of them being unemployed, and we believe that this cash has come from criminal activities.
“In addition to the arrests, a large number of items which are believed to have been funded by crime were also seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), truly demonstrating that crime doesn’t pay.”
The community Inspector for Northwich Local Policing Unit, added:
“Today’s operation highlighted our zero-tolerance approach to criminality across Northwich and Winsford.
“Throughout the day we used a whole host of tactics to disrupt criminals working in the local area. While Operation Bigwing may now have concluded, it is important to note that we use these regularly as part of our everyday policing tactics.
“We will always ensure the full force of the law is used against those who think they can commit crime in our communities, and I hope today’s operation will reassure the public that we are always striving to stay one step ahead and stamp down on illegal activity.
“We understand the impact that criminal activity has on our communities, and over the past year the team here at Northwich LPU have had some fantastic results, seized large quantities of illegal drugs, and removed a number of offenders from the streets of our towns.
“However, there are always improvements to be made and we will always act upon any information or feedback we receive from local residents. By working together, we can help to make Winsford and Northwich even safer places to live, work and visit.
“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity taking place in Winsford or Northwich please report it to us on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and we will do the rest.”