Three arrested and £110,000 seized as police crack down on illegal gambling in South Yorkshire
Cash thought to be in excess of £110,000 and a large amount of gold has been seized from venues suspected to be involved in illegal gambling and money laundering in South Yorkshire.
Warrants were executed in Sheffield and Doncaster this week alongside a number of partner agencies, including the Gambling Commission.
The activity – which started on Tuesday August 4 evening – formed the latest editions of Operation Duxford and Operation Snaresbrook.
Sixteen illegal betting terminals were discovered inside venues on London Road, Sheffield, and Silver Street, Doncaster, as well as large amounts of cash and gold in the form of bars, coins and jewellery.
Three people were arrested as part of the raids on suspicion of immigration offences, possessing a bladed article and gambling offences, South Yorkshire Police said.
The work was carried out alongside the Gambling Commission, Yorkshire & Humber Regional and Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU), local authorities and Immigration Enforcement.
Inspector Amy Mellor, of the South West Neighbourhood Policing Team in Sheffield, said: “This coordinated activity is a true example of partnership working at its best.
“Weeks of planning alongside colleagues has allowed us to develop intelligence and crack down on the harmful trade of illegal gambling, which we know can fund other activity linked to organised crime.
“But we’ve also cast a much wider net to focus on the issues that we know matter most to our communities. This is not a ‘one-off’, and work to progress investigations and home in on similar offending in our communities will continue.”
Sue Young, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Operations, added: “Illegal gambling isn’t a victimless crime. Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses.
“This action should send a clear message – if you’re running an illegal gambling operation we will work with police and other partners to shut you down and ensure you face serious consequences.”
Detective Superintendent Al Burns, of YHROCU, said: “Our support for this operation demonstrates an exciting new chapter in the work of our Regional Intelligence Unit which has recently been bolstered with additional staff.
“This gives the team an enhanced capability to move quickly alongside colleagues from our constituent forces and partner agencies to turn intelligence from the community into action on the streets to target organised criminality.”
Richard Eyre, Director of Street Scene and Regulations at Sheffield City Council, commented: “This operation demonstrates our commitment to the priority of taking back the high street.
“Our Licensing Enforcement Officers were part of this multi-agency operation and were able to gather evidence to identify any issues relevant to gambling regulation, licensing, safeguarding, public safety and crime and disorder.
“Were committed to working with partners to tackle suspected organised criminal activity, support lawful businesses and help ensure Sheffield remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”