Mass arrests in police swoop

Police regard the day-long operation as a success

South Wales Police have arrested 83 people and seized drugs and stolen property in a day-long operation.

More than 100 officers right across the force area made the arrests between 0700 BST and 2000 BST on Thursday.

A large amount of cannabis and stolen prescription pads were seized in Clydach, near Swansea.

Persistent offenders and a hard core of criminals who regularly flout the law were targeted.

Police said 25 arrests were made for drug offences, 19 for vehicle crimes, 13 for failing to appear in court and seven for burglary.

This is the second operation in as many months which has tackled persistent offenders and those who have absolutely no respect for the criminal justice system

Superintendent Tim Jones

Arrests were made for breaches of football banning orders and anti-social behaviour orders as well as for racially aggravated offences.

A South Wales Police Force spokesman said 22 children caught absconding from school were also detained in the Barry area.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition was one of the means used to identify stolen vehicles believed to contain wanted criminals.

Superintendent Tim Jones said: "This is the second operation in as many months which has tackled persistent offenders and those who have absolutely no respect for the criminal justice system.

"I am once again extremely pleased with its success and hope it will contribute to improving the quality of life of those affected by crime either as a victim or through fear of it."