Operation Yamhill provides fantastic results including arrest of wanted male on recall to prison

Great work by East Area officers as part of Operation Yamhill last week saw a violent offender on recall to prison arrested. On Wednesday November 16, officers from Dagenham Neighbourhood Police Team and British Transport Police were deployed on Operation Yamhill at Dagenham Heathway station.  

The operation is an ongoing multi agency series of events in partnership with the Council, which is run regularly on the Borough. It targets anti-social behaviour, car theft, traffic offences, drug offences and sees a zero tolerance.

Two Neighbourhood Officers were deployed as plain clothes spotters for the Operation.  

As well as the team effort conducting 5 stop and searches and 2 ASB warnings, the plain clothes officers identified a group of two males and two females trying to avoid police. They alerted British Transport Police officers, who then stopped the group.  One of the males was informed he was going to be searched who then tried to make off from police. During the struggle a large combat knife in a sheath fell from his clothing, as shown in the picture. The male continued to struggle with officers whilst on the ground and had to be placed in leg restraints. 

The male was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and taken to Freshwharf Custody. Further checks revealed the male was wanted x 4 (2 from Essex Police, 1 from North Area and on a recall to prison with a history of violent offences. One offence outstanding was for a domestic incident and one was a breach of licence, outstanding since April.

A/Inspector Rehan Azam of Barking and Dagenham Neighbourhood Team told the Havering Daily: “Another violent individual and a deadly weapon taken off the streets. Well done to all officers involved who escaped unscathed from this incident.  We are committed to working with our partners to deal with matters that cause concern against our communities.”