THAMES Valley Police has shared the results of a major operation tackling serious and organised crime across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, and Oxfordshire last week.
Hundreds of officers and staff came together to disrupt organised crime groups linked to high-value motor thefts, robbery, burglaries, and other serious offences aimed at making money illegally.
Between Tuesday-Thursday, January 13-15, 45 arrests were made with relation to linked crimes, and 70 arrest attempts.
Among them were numerous people who were also wanted for failing to appear in court, or, in some cases, on recall to prison.
In Reading, officers arrested the force’s highest priority retail crime offender, who will be charged with 22 offences and 17 breaches of court bail.
Meanwhile in Slough, officers arrested 8 people suspected of being part of an organised crime group suspected of stealing high-value vehicles in six simultaneous dawn raids.
Between them, they were charged with 56 offences, and weapons, including knives, were seized.
In Oxford, officers arrested two people on suspicion of modern slavery offences during a dawn warrant at Oxo Bar & Hotel in George Street following a long-running CID investigation.
Thames Valley Police has explained that part of the operation was the use of live facial recognition, the use of which was the first time it had been put in Reading, and the second over in Oxford.
These facial recognition tactics led to three matches with a list of wanted people in Oxford, all of whom were able to be dealt with by police without the need for arrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray, who led the operation, said: “We have made a substantial impact on organised crime groups operating in the Thames Valley with these three days of action to protect our communities.
“It was incredible to see our people come together for a dedicated operation to fight serious and organised crime across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire last week.
“We will continue to work hard to serve victims, and we want any reading this to know they’re not alone, we’re here to support them and will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
He explained: “We have achieved so much with this major operation to fight organised crime, with numerous arrests, charges, seizures and more.
“We are proud of the incredible work of our officers and staff to plan and execute these days of action so thank you to them.
“However, we know there will always be more to do to tackle serious and organised acquisitive crime and serve victims; and we will never stop.”
