OFFICERS gave chase to a group of youths caught damaging police vehicles as part of a crackdown on vehicle crime. 

A team of Gwent Police officers took part in a three day operation designed to crack down on vehicle crime in Blaenau Gwent. 

In one situation, witnessed by this reporter, and seen in the footage, officers gave chase to a group of youths caught causing damage to police vehicles. 

The foot chase took place following a high-speed car chase through the streets of Tredegar. 

A neighbourhood policing sergeant in Blaenau Gwent has praised his team following a successful operation in the borough.

Sergeant Dan Wise planned the three-day operation following an increase in reports of vehicle crime in the borough.

His team, who were joined by detectives from the force’s serious organised crime unit, carried out numerous patrols across Ebbw Vale and Tredegar to target those they believed to be involved in crimes such as vehicle thefts, theft from vehicles, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and more.

Dog handlers were involved in Operation GreyhawkDog handlers were involved in Operation Greyhawk (Image: Gwent Police) Between 24 – 26 July, officers arrested 11 people on suspicion of offences including burglary, theft, criminal damage, breach of bail conditions and drug driving.

Sergeant Wise said:

“Across three evenings, we carried out almost 40 stop searches, which resulted in us removing drugs from our streets.

“We also detected several motorists committing offences, with four traffic offence reports issued for driving without insurance or without a licence and using a handheld mobile device while driving.

“On Thursday, five young people were arrested after a parked police vehicle was damaged. Within minutes of the offence, officers, including a dog handler, apprehended five people.”

A teenage boy was among the 11 arrested during Operation Greyhawk (Image: Gwent Police) The team is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in the area, and submitted one referral to the Youth Offending Service and four REACH referrals after alcohol was seized from underage people.

Sergeant  Wise added: “ASB can affect everyone in our communities, including residents and those working in the area. The damage to our vehicle, for instance, is reckless and completely unacceptable. Mindless behaviour like that can potentially delay us in getting to someone who needs urgent assistance.

“We’re continuing to focus on ensuring our communities are as safe as they can be and investigating the vehicle offences.

“We’ve seen a reduction in reports since the operation, however, and the team will continue to work hard to identify offenders.”

A number of the offenders were youthsA number of the offenders were youths (Image: Gwent Police)

Among the other incidents witnessed was a foot chase for a youth who was eventually found hiding in a field and was escorted to the police station in a van after being deemed a danger to himself and officers. 

The team of officers taking part in the operation were joined by officers with dogs, who helped to find some offenders who attempted to hide from officers. 

The other positive results from Operation Greyhawk were:

  • 39 stop searches 
  • Three vehicle seizures under Section 165 RTA
  • Two Traffic Offence Reports for a total of four offences - (No insurance, Drive other than in accordance with a licence and using a handheld mobile device whilst driving)
  • Three drug seizures
  • One community resolution for drug offences
  • One referral to Youth offending service
  • Four REACH referrals for underage drinking and seizure of a quantity of alcohol