Day of Arrests as Operation Tornado Intensifies Policing Efforts Across Scarborough

Operation Tornado, a significant policing operation, descended upon Scarborough yesterday, Wednesday 25 June 2025, to provide a substantial boost to the ‘Building Barrowcliff Together’ project.

The operation, aptly timed during national Neighbourhood Policing Week, saw dozens of officers deployed across Scarborough, Malton, and the surrounding rural areas. Deputy Chief Constable Scott Bisset led the day of action, which resulted in a total of 17 arrests, warrants, and prosecutions.

During yesterday’s Operation Tornado, an early arrest in Scarborough followed a vehicle stop where the driver failed a roadside drugs wipe.

Two drug warrants were executed at addresses on Colescliffe Road on the Barrowcliff Estate, leading to the seizure of Class A drugs, with investigations ongoing.

Neighbourhood Policing officers collaborated with Community Safety Officers from North Yorkshire Council for reassurance patrols in Barrowcliff, where residents expressed feeling safer, with one noting they now feel more comfortable allowing their children to play outside. Officers say that the ongoing ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ project has brought about "a positive change on the estate, with many residents aware that certain individuals have been imprisoned."

A neighbourhood officer in Scarborough located a wanted man before her event even began. Joint patrols with British Transport Police (BTP) officers also took place, including an information stand outside the Railway Station. A BTP officer identified a suspect for handbag thefts at York, who was also wanted by a Scarborough officer, leading to his arrest. BTP officers also addressed byelaw breaches and ticket evasion during train patrols.

The Retail Crime Officer was active, bringing in three individuals wanted for failing to appear at court and two others for shoplifting, in addition to resolving three other shoplifting incidents via community resolution.

Officers from Whitby and Eastfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams were involved in an arrest at a retail premise on Castle Road, during a visit with Trading Standards enforcement colleagues. 

Operation Orbit’s off-road motorcycle team was seen across Scarborough, conducting visits and educational engagement events, leading to three people being reported for traffic offences.

At the Balmoral Centre, Stop! Think Fraud advice was provided by the Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer, Fraud Ambassador, and CSO, engaging with the public.

The operation extended beyond Scarborough. In Malton, the Operation Sentry Team carried out a drug warrant at an address, resulting in one arrest for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug, with investigations ongoing. Whitby’s Neighbourhood Policing Team coordinated patrols from the Whitby Rural Watch, a volunteer group, making visits across Esk Valley and engaging with residents and visitors.

As the evening concluded in Scarborough, officers from the Operational Support Team deployed a drone to assist an operation targeting anti-social behaviour, with plain clothed officers working alongside uniformed teams to tackle low-level disorder and issue dispersal notices where necessary.

Chief Inspector, Neighbourhood Operations Commander Lucy McNeill commented on the operation’s impact:

“Operation Tornado gives us an opportunity to get specialist officers from around the force and act on information and intelligence, given to us by our communities and partners. Whereas yesterday’s actions are part of our day-to-day activity, by having extra resources being deployed from around the force we can intensify the local policing priorities including the Barrowcliff Clear Hold Build project”.

The ‘Building Barrowcliff Together’ project was launched on 14 March 2024 and is an integral part of the Home Office’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ strategy. This strategy advocates for a multi-agency approach to combat serious and organised crime, as well as anti-social behaviour. The Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, led by Inspector Craig Regan and Sergeant Tom Wilkinson, has been praised for their determination in securing the ‘Clear’ and ‘Hold’ phases of the project through proactive efforts to target offenders and engage with the community. These efforts are supported by Response, Specialist Operations, and CID, with Operation Tornado days specifically deploying extra resources to intensify local policing priorities.

Significant Reductions in Barrowcliff Crime

Since its inception in March last year, the ‘Building Barrowcliff Together’ project has yielded tangible results on the Barrowcliff estate. There has been a 25% decrease in overall crime, with 284 incidents recorded in total. Incidents across the estate also decreased by 9%, totaling 840. Most crime groups have experienced a reduction compared to the previous 12-month period, though vehicle offences increased by nine (10 in total) and drug offences rose by four (19 in total). Positively, no drug importation offences were recorded in the area, contrasting with an increase in this offence type across other parts of North Yorkshire.

Anti-social behaviour has seen a reduction of five offences, totaling 85, while arson and criminal damage reduced by five offences, with 42 recorded. Violence against the person saw the most significant reduction, with 71 fewer offences, totaling 146. The project has also led to 11 arrests for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, and over 50 disruptions of organised crime groups operating on the estate. Furthermore, the number of intelligence reports surged by 73%, from 362 to 626 in 2024-2025, indicating strong community support and proactive police work in developing new lines of enquiry.

Police Leaders Address Community Concerns

Inspector Craig Regan underscored the project’s broad focus, stating,

“As well as focusing on serious and organised crime such as drug dealing, we are just as much concerned about anti-social behaviour and criminal damage which we know causes so much upset to residents but are often too afraid to report it to the police or the council”.

He encouraged residents to report issues, adding,

“To reassure everyone living in Barrowcliff or anywhere else in our area, we want you to have confidence to pick up the phone and call 101 or make an online report via the North Yorkshire Police website. You can also inform the council or your housing provider, as they will let us know about any issues”.

Inspector Regan emphasized the police's firm stance:

“We are tackling it, not tolerating it. We are making sure it does not become the new norm”.

He noted a positive shift in public perception, stating,

“By dealing with such issues at source and through regular positive engagement with residents of all ages, including those still at school, we have seen a noticeable turnaround in attitudes towards the police and our partners. This is borne out in the neighbourhood surveys that are carried out”.

He also highlighted visible improvements on the estate, including a cleaner, safer environment and better lighting, attributing these to the collaborative work with North Yorkshire Council and other partners. Looking ahead, Inspector Regan affirmed,

“As a partnership, we are more determined than ever to go further and make sure there is a sustained ‘Build’ phase that offers hope for future generations and instills pride in the neighbourhood. This will be the true measure of success for our ‘Building Barrowcliff Together’ project”.

Sergeant Tom Wilkinson provided an example of innovative action supporting the project, detailing a residential closure under a court order. He explained that a property, previously the subject of numerous complaints regarding anti-social behaviour, crime, and disorder, had a closure notice issued in October 2024. York Magistrates’ Court subsequently granted a three-month closure order, prohibiting anyone other than the tenant from being within the property, and now prevents anyone from living there. Sergeant Wilkinson stated,

“We are using the closure order to allow the residents of the surrounding area to live peacefully, and without the threat of crime, disorder or antisocial behaviour”.

He added that the Community Safety Hub compiled resident complaints for court, and despite warnings, no improvements in behaviour were observed, though the resident has since been supported into alternative accommodation. Separately, another closure order was obtained for an address on Maria’s Court to safeguard the local community.