An operation targeting wanted men and women throughout Cumbria resulted in 20 arrests – including for recall to prison, failure to attend court and drug supply.
Op Merlin is Cumbria Police’s long-running operation seeking out wanted individuals, including through the execution of warrants.
Last week’s operation ran from 11 May to 15 May.
Monday (11 May)
Officers arrested a 24-year-old man from Scotland on suspicion of failure to attend court. He was subsequently handed over to the courts.
Tuesday (12 May)
A 29-year-old man from Barrow was arrested on suspicion of a number of driving offences including drug driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop. He was subsequently released under investigation to allow for further enquiries.
Three men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of failing to attend court and subsequently handed over to the courts - a 45-year-old man of no fixed address, a 59-year-old man from Barrow, a 36-year-old woman of no fixed address and a 42-year-old man from Carlisle.
A 42-year-old man from Barrow and a man of the same age from Carlisle were arrested for breach of their bail conditions and handed to the courts.
Roxanne Irving, 38, of Bower Street in Carlisle was arrested and subsequently charged with breaching the terms of her Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and shop theft offences.
She appeared before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 13 May where she admitted four counts of theft from a shop and two counts of breaching her Criminal Behaviour Order.
She was sentenced to four weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay £110 in compensation and made subject of an electronically-monitored curfew.
Thursday (14 May)
Two men aged 30 – one from Whitehaven and one of no fixed address – were arrested for failing to attend court and handed to the courts.
A 38-year-old woman from Carlisle was arrested for recall to prison.
A 33-year-old man from Egremont was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was subsequently released under investigation.
Two teenagers aged 14 and Cockermouth were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage. They were subsequently released on bail whilst investigations continue.
Friday (15 May)
Two men – one aged 43 and from Whitehaven and the other aged 22 and from Carlisle – were arrested for recall to prison.
Two men – was aged 27 and of no fixed address and one aged 18 and of Penrith – were arrested for failing to attend court and handed over to the courts.
A 25-year-old man from Barrow was arrested for breach of a court order and Lana McVay, 40, of Rydal Street in Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of theft. She was subsequently charged, pleaded guilty at court and will be sentenced at a later date.
Superintendent Matt Pearman said: “We are committed to targeting those people who are wanted for recall to prison, for failing to attend court and for breaching the terms of their conditions – including bail and Criminal Behaviour Order conditions.
“I would urge anyone who is aware they are wanted by the police – for these or any other reasons – to walk into a police station today and hand yourself in before police officers pay you a visit at your home.
“Operation Merlin often relies on community intelligence to execute effectively so I would continue to encourage the public to come forward with information so we can act against people who are of the mistaken belief they can evade the law.”
You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 in an emergency, including when a crime is in progress.