OFFICERS from across Herefordshire Local Policing Area arrested 13 people during a countywide day of action this week.

Police from Ross-On-Wye, Hereford and Leominster and stations were joined by several support teams, with a focus on targeting suspects wanted for outstanding offences, on Wednesday, March 12.

Response teams, the Local Policing Priorities Team, Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team and Safer Neighbourhood Teams were out across the three areas looking to make as many arrests as possible.

The ‘strike day’ was a success with 13 out of 17 people targeted being arrested for a range of offences including theft, criminal damage, breaching bail, domestic abuse, and failing to appear in court.

This resulted in four individuals being detained for court on warrants and breach of bail, two being charged and seven being bailed for further enquiries.

Inspector Watson, who led the operation in Herefordshire, said: “We are pleased to report our strike day was a resounding success, enabling us to progress several open investigations and support victims of crime.

“We executed a pre-planned operation to target suspects who, in many cases, had evaded officers in the past.

“Multiple rolling arrest attempts continued throughout the whole of Wednesday, resulting in the 13 arrests.

“Those detained are suspected to be involved in a range of offences from domestic abuse to criminal damage. Or in some cases have simply failed to attend court after being charged.”

West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Taking criminals off our streets is the bread and butter of policing and I know this proactive action is really valued by the public.

“The results of the strike day are testament to the hard work of local officers to deliver on our shared commitment, within my police and crime plan, to cut crime and build safer and stronger communities.”

● A 19-year-old man from the West Midlands has been sentenced for a string of burglaries across Herefordshire.

Thomas Odowd of Charles Crescent in Walsall, appeared at Worcester Crown Court and pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to steal from a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit a burglary and was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

Offences of dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance were also considered as part of the sentencing.

The court heard that on December 10 last year, a BMW 2 series and BMW X5 were stolen from a property in Ledbury following a car key burglary. The investigation revealed that Odowd was guilty of both thefts.

On July 11, 2024 officers attempted to stop a Ford Transit van as it was linked to a number of garage and shed burglaries that occurred in this area of Herefordshire.

The vehicle failed to stop but was eventually brought to a standstill by officers. The occupants fled the area however a forensic investigation revealed Odowd was inside the vehicle.

Detective Constable Emily Holder said: “This type of offending will not be tolerated, and we will pursue all offences of this nature and put them in front of a court.”