Blitz on crime in Holme Wood leads to over 200 arrests

A dedicated operation was set up a year ago in the Holme Wood area to tackle criminality and anti-social behaviour.   

Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team along with partners have seized more than £2 million pounds worth of cannabis and Class A Drugs from the streets.  

Plants seized from a cannabis farm as part of police operation aimed at tackling crime in Holme Wood. (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

The operation not only involved police but partners including Bradford Council, Incommunities, NHS, volunteers and Environmental Health.  
  
In the last year more than 200 people have been arrested and six people have been recalled to prison.  

Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing team have executed more than 60 address searches which break down to 48 Class B Drugs searches, eight Class A Drugs searches and five theft warrants.   

A total of 2,739 cannabis plants have been seized in that time with an estimated value of more than £2 million pounds. 

Fifty bikes and 87 cars have been seized.   

Bags of cannabis seized from a cannabis farm as part of police operation aimed at tackling crime in Holme Wood. (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Inspector Tany Ditta who heads up Bradford South’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This operation led by Sergeant Daniel Stoker and his team highlights our continued commitment to making Holme Wood a better and safer place to live.  

“We have seen a reduction in crimes committed in the area with 300 less crimes compared to the previous year.  

“Crime and anti-social behaviour is a huge concern for residents and I hope these results show we are committed to tacking them.  

“We know that the work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to tackle the problem.  

“I hope this sends a strong message to people involved in crime and anti-social behaviour on the Holme Wood estate, that it will not be tolerated, and we will find the people responsible.”    

Lindsey Roche, Head of Neighbourhood Management at Incommunities said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Sergeant Stoker and his team for the dedication and focus to reduce crime within the Holme Wood community.

"We remain committed to working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Holme Wood and across the Bradford district.

A general view of Holme Wood (Image: T&A)

"Residents of Holme Wood deserve to live in neighbourhoods that are safe and allow them the opportunity to grow and thrive without fear.

"As a landlord we will continue to tackle breaches of tenancy and take a zero tolerance to crime being committed within the homes that we provide and our neighbourhoods.” 
 
Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “This operation has been a huge success due to the police and partner organisations working together.

"Everyone deserves credit for what they have achieved. But we recognise there is still work to be done and will continue to support the police and others in their continued efforts to make Holme Wood and other parts of the district a safer place to live.”