00:00Serious and organised crime can leave lasting damage in neighbourhoods, exploit vulnerable people and fund wider criminal activity.
00:08Police across the North East say Operation Sentinel is strengthening the regional response by combining intelligence, specialist officers and resources
00:18to target criminal networks operating across force boundaries.
00:22Operation Sentinel brings together the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit with Northumbria Police.
00:28Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police.
00:31Officers say that during the past year offenders received combined prison sentences totalling 1,388 years.
00:40Investigators also seized more than £13 million in cash, recovered over 1,000 kilograms of drugs, removed 218 weapons and
00:51safeguarded 320 children.
00:53Police leaders say the partnership is designed not only to pursue suspects but also to prevent organised crime by working
01:00with schools, care providers, banks and businesses through education and awareness programmes.
01:07Superintendent Andy Reynolds says the operation combines expertise, technology and resources to disrupt criminal groups that cross regional borders.
01:16Senior officers from all four organisations say they remain committed to protecting communities and ensuring offenders have nowhere to hide
01:25while encouraging the public to report concerns through established policing channels.
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