Wanted men, shoplifters and those involved in the supply of drugs were just some of those arrested during Cumbria Police’s most recent Operation Merlin week of action.
Operation Merlin ran across Cumbria between 9 December and 13 December, resulting in 18 arrests across the county. This week’s arrests took the total Operation Merlin arrest figure for 2024 to 90 arrests.
On Monday, Op Merlin officers were in the West of the county, where they made seven arrests in a single day.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and subsequently released under investigation to allow officers to carry out further enquiries.
Two drivers were arrested on suspicion of drug driving – with one of those drivers also arrested for driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
Two women who were wanted – one for prison recall and another for failing to attend court – were arrested and handed to the relevant authorities.
The seventh arrest was of 43-year-old Nicholas Meekley of Pearl Road, Salterbeck. He was charged with shoplifting and breach of a criminal behaviour order. He was bailed to attend Workington Magistrates Court on 30 December 2024.
On Tuesday, Merlin officers were in Carlisle where they made five arrests.
A man sought on suspicion of an assault on an emergency services worker was arrested and subsequently bailed.
A second man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault was also subsequently bailed, while a woman sought for failing to attend court was arrested and handed to court.
Ben Wiggins, 34, of Montreal Street in Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of theft. He was charged with the offence and is due to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 7 January 2025.
The fifth arrest was on a man on suspicion of criminal damage. He was subsequently released with no further action.
On Thursday, officers were in the Furness area and made three arrests.
A man was arrested on suspicion of importation of Class B drugs and subsequently bailed.
A second man was reported for possession of Class A drugs.
Rory Dixon, 42, of Low White Close, Barrow, was arrested for recall to prison. He was subsequently handed to prison escorts.
On Friday, officers were working across Kendal and Eden making three arrests for assault, criminal damage and possession Class B drugs respectively.
Chief Inspector Sam Turner of Cumbria Police said: “Operation Merlin has proved extremely effective again over the past 12 months, with 90 individuals sought for offences that include serious assaults, Class A drug supply and recall to prison, having been swept up proactively by officers.
“As long as people continue to operate under the misguided view that they can evade the law, we will continue to carry out these proactive operations to keep the public safe.
“My message to anyone who knows they are sought by police is to come forward today, before officers come knocking at your door.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “The message behind Operation Merlin is clear: if you commit a crime in Cumbria, you will be caught and you will face the consequences of your action.
“If you know that you have a warrant out for your arrest, I strongly suggest that you hand yourself in before the Police knock on your door – which they will do.
“Cumbria Constabulary are dedicated to ensuring that every criminal in the county faces the appropriate consequence for their crime – if you are aware of someone who has a warrant out for their arrest or witness a crime, please call the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”