(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
Ten people have been arrested and more than 100 knives seized as part of a 24-hour crime crackdown by police in North Yorkshire.
Class A drugs and around £2,500 in cash were also recovered after the crackdown in Ryedale and in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey from Wednesday (October 14) to Thursday.
North Yorkshire Police pulled extra resources into the areas for the day of action as part of the force’s latest blitz on knife and organised crime under Operation Tornado.
The force said the operation saw 101 suspected knives/weapons seized.
It followed officers executing a warrant at a business in Foreshore Road, Scarborough, and carrying out a further warrant at another premises in the town connected to the business, North Yorkshire Police said.
The force said inquiries are ongoing to determine any offences that may have been committed in relation to the items recovered.
A police officer in Scarborough during Operation Tornado on Wednesday (October 14) (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
Meanwhile in Malton, officers executed a warrant at a property in Honeysuckle Street which saw about eight grams of suspected Class A drugs, around £2,500 in cash, weighing scales, deal bags and a mobile phone recovered.
Police said the investigation into the offences in Malton remains ongoing.
Officers also carried out community engagement work at Scarborough Hospital and in Gladstone Primary School, Scarborough, where they spoke to young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.
North Yorkshire Police’s deputy chief constable, Scott Bisset, joined officers throughout the operation.
“Knife crime ruins lives,” he said. “While thankfully incidents remain relatively low in North Yorkshire, we know that carrying a knife can have devastating consequences, which is why we are relentless in pursuing those who choose to carry weapons and commit crime.
“We also know that knives are often transported through our road and rail networks, sometimes moving between communities and into the hands of those intent on causing harm.
“That is why operations like Tornado are so important. By targeting key transport routes, working with partners and taking proactive action against offenders, we can disrupt criminality, remove weapons from our streets and help keep our communities safe.”
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Mr Bisset added that education is a “vital part of tackling knife crime”.
“By working with schools, young people and communities, we can help people understand the devastating consequences that carrying a knife can have, challenge misconceptions and prevent individuals from becoming involved in violence in the first place.
“What I saw throughout this operation was a real commitment to both enforcement and prevention.
"By combining robust policing with education and engagement, we can continue to protect our communities and keep North Yorkshire a safe place to live, work and visit.”