Three arrests were made locally last week as police continued to investigate the recent spate of burglaries in Ross, as part of Operation Christmas Crackdown across the whole force area.

A police spokesman, Chris Ammands, told the Ross Gazette that West Mercia Police had invested a significant amount of resources into the ongoing investigation. He said a number of warrants had been executed including three connected to Operation Christmas Crackdown, searching for drugs and stolen property. Two people were arrested and later released without charge, one person was arrested and charged with an historic burglary.

The local police are linking up with their colleagues from neighbouring forces as they think the Ross burglaries may be part of a pattern of travelling criminality. Chris said:?"We want to reassure all the residents of Ross that we are doing all we can to track these criminals down."

Operation Christmas Crackdown, across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire, began on Monday, December 12th and targeted offenders in the run up to Christmas.

Arrests were made for a variety of offences including threats to kill, burglary, robbery, drugs offences, metal theft and criminal damage.

Superintendent Steve Cullen, who co-ordinated the operation, said: "We wanted to show the communities of West Mercia that we will deal with those who cause harm and make Christmas miserable for others. This was a week of action to reassure the public that we are working hard to catch offenders and bring them to justice."

Police officers from West Mercia worked alongside Community Support Officers and Specials, as well as colleagues from Warwickshire Police, the Safer Roads Partnership and CMPG (Central Motorway Police Group).

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