Police in Lancashire said they made 3,067 arrests since the launch of a major crackdown on organised crime.

There also seized 52,070 cannabis plants, a tonne of of class A and class B drugs and over £5m of cash in the two years since the introduction of Operation Warrior. 

The operation aims to bring more offenders to justice as well as stripping them of their cash, cars and other assets. Police said they have also safeguarded 860 vulnerable children and adults.

In the second year of the operation, from November 2023 to October 2023 there were 1,855 arrests, a 53 per cent increase. During the same period £3.9m of cash was seized.

Lancashire Constabulary’s Head of Serious Crime & Force Intelligence Bureau, Superintendent Graham Hill, said: “Over the past two years, we have made significant strides in tackling organised crime and the harm it inflicts on our communities. We remain committed to relentlessly targeting and dismantling these groups.

“We have been unwavering in our pursuit of those responsible for causing the most harm to our communities, and our efforts have led to a significant year-on-year increase in arrests, the seizure of drugs, cash, and assets worth five million pounds. I am very pleased with these results, but our work is not over.

“I would urge anyone with information about organised crime to come forward.

"That might include information about drug dealing, human trafficking, counterfeiting or exploitation. If you suspect something, help us to continue to do this important work and report it. You can do this by contacting us directly or reaching out anonymously to Crimestoppers."

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw said: "It's fantastic to see the continued results of Op Warrior, taking drugs off our streets, safeguarding vulnerable people and ensuring that crime gang suspects are arrested and brought to justice.

"Organised crime creates misery and fear in local communities which is why tackling this issue will be a key priority in my new Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire.

"I will continue to support the Constabulary to tackle serious and organised crime at full force and to strip crime gang members of their cash, cars and other assets.

"Through my Community Fund, I will reinvest money seized from criminals to support local projects aimed at preventing and reducing crime across the county."

Information leading to an arrest and conviction could lead to a reward of up to £1,000.