Seven held after police raid in Littlemoor (From Thisisdorset)

Seven held after police raid in Littlemoor

10:01am Friday 18th January 2013 in Latest By Rachel Stretton

SEVEN people were held by police after a raid on Littlemoor in a crackdown on crime in the area.

The nighttime swoop follows a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour that has been plaguing the Weymouth estate in recent weeks and months.

Armed response teams and undercover officers were among police units to swoop on the estate in a co-ordinated operation.

One youth, aged 17, was arrested by Dorset Police in connection with a number of offences.

He is being held in custody and is helping police with their enquiries.

Six others – four men and two women – were arrested during the same operation on Wednesday night on suspicion of assisting in harbouring a criminal. The men are aged between 18 and 24 and the women are aged 22 and 49.

All are from the Littlemoor area and were held in custody at Weymouth police station while they assisted officers with their enquiries.

The operation, which was carried out at 9pm on Wednesday, involved a number of Dorset Police departments, including Safer Neighbourhood teams, patrol officers, armed response teams, and special units such as dog handlers, traffic and covert operations.

Inspector Les Fry, of Weymouth and Portland police, said: “We will not tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour and we will take positive action against anyone suspected of committing an offence.

“Following recent crime we have increased patrols in the area quite considerably and we will continue to target those whose behaviour falls below the standards which the community expects and deserves.

“Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset County Council, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Synergy Housing and all the community groups in Littlemoor will continue to work together to make it a safe place to live and work.”

The police operation follows a move by Dorset Police to step-up patrols in the Littlemoor area following a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

Borough councillor Rachel Rogers said: “I have spent a lot of time talking to the police recently and I am very pleased that they and other organisations have been able to work together in such an effective way to address the problems that the community has been experiencing.

“I hope that this level of cooperation will continue in Littlemoor and that the area will benefit as a result.”