Operation Gambler provides excellent results across East Area.

 Havering Council joined local police recently on a cross-borough operation, Operation Gambler, targeting car thieves, burglars and other crime and anti-social behaviour. 

Councillor Ciaran White, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, and Chris McAvoy, head of the Council’s environmental enforcement team, joined police, including officers from the Havering Task Force, funded by the Council. 

It was another successful operation, which saw 27 arrests for a number of offences including the handling of weapons, burglary, possession of stolen goods and Class A drugs.  

The operation, which took place over two evenings, also saw nine stolen vehicles found. 

The operations are run and co-ordinated by both Metropolitan and Essex police forces, using officers from the Havering Taskforce and the Road Crime teams.  

Also involved are officers from the East Intercept Team, known as Spiders, traffic and dog’s teams, plus special constabulary. 

Sergeant Ben Tanner, Havering Police, said: “This is a long running and successful operation between ourselves here in the Metropolitan and Essex Police.  

“The operation targets criminals who cross our force boundaries with the intention of committing crimes such as robbery, burglary and supplying drugs.  

“To date the operation has secured more than 700 arrests overall with numerous stolen vehicles, weapons and drugs recovered.” 

Operation Gambler Results.  

The operation was conducted the last week in February.  

It was another hugely successful operation which saw a total of 27 arrested of which some are for very serious offences. It should also be noted that a total of 9 stolen vehicles were recovered, the value of which exceeds £300,000. 

Details of arrests: • One arrest for ABH 

Two arrests for Drink Drive  

One arrest for Drugs Supply, TWOC (Taking Without Owners Consent) No Licence, No Insurance, section 5A RTA  

One arrest for Drugs Supply, possession of cannabis.   

One arrest Section 5 RTA. Overtook unmarked police unit at speed, decamped, detained, positive breath test.  

One arrest for Handling Stolen goods – number plates.  

One arrest for being wanted for immigration offences.   

One arrested and reported at the roadside for driving whilst disqualified.  

 Two arrests for Burglary 

 One arrest for Burglary and trespass 

One arrest for Burglary and possession of a s5 firearm, possession of offensive weapon (Commando knife)  

One arrest for Theft of Motor Vehicle, possession of drugs, Section 5A, and a burglary.  

One arrest for Possession with Intent to supply of class A, Theft of motor vehicle.   

One arrest for Possession with Intent to supply class A. 10kg suspected class A recovered.  

One arrested for being wanted – had failed to appear for a theft, disqualified, no insurance, Section 5 and failed to provide a breath test.   

One arrest for Theft of Motor vehicle, no licence, no insurance, failed to stop.  

 Two arrests for Theft of Motor vehicle.  

One arrest for Theft of Motor vehicle, Burglary, failed to stop, dangerous driving, section 5  

One arrest for Handling Stolen Goods, stopped on False Plates believed stolen since January  

Two arrests for Theft of motor vehicle and fraud   

One arrest for rape – Outstanding warrant.  

One arrest for Theft Employee 

 One arrest for Aggravated TWOC (theft without owners’ consent), Disqualified Driving,  Failed to stop, Possession of Cannabis and Counterfeit Currency