Fifty wanted criminals who have evaded justice were arrested during Cheshire Police’s day-long Operation Crossbow.
More than 100 officers from multiple departments gathered at Cheshire Police Headquarters in Winsford to take part in the operation yesterday (February 2nd).
The action aimed to disrupt criminal activity across Cheshire and its borders and included colleagues from roads policing, armed response, motorcycles, dogs, drones, the Special Constabulary, and local policing.
It was rolled out with the goal of targeting criminals who remained wanted and had yet to be brought into custody.
They targeted efforts in locating criminals who remained outstanding for offences including violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and rape and serious sexual offences.
By the end of the day, 50 people were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and criminal damage, as well as rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, child abduction and kidnap.
Officers found a man wanted for breaching a court order hiding in a loft under insulation.
They also arrested a man in Ellesmere Port who had been following patrols conducting address checks, only to be pulled over and then arrested himself after officers found pepper spray and an imitation firearm in the boot of his car.
Two people were also arrested in the Grimsby area in relation to a kidnap in Winsford.
A number of wanted criminals in Cheshire also handed themselves into police.
Officers also conducted safety and compliance checks on HGVs and other vehicles on main roads such as the A556.
They issued 11 traffic reports for speeding, two vehicles were seized for not having insurance, and two men were arrested suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Officers also joined Cheshire West and Chester local authority and Wolverhampton Taxi Licensing Team for vehicle checks.
Twelve taxis were stopped and drivers given advice around identification lanyards, required notice stickers and the requirements of their taxi licence.
One driver was suspended and directed to stop operating due to having an expired plate on his vehicle.
Trading standards operations were also conducted with large amounts of illegal tobacco and vapes seized by officers.
Det Supt Chris Williams, who oversaw the operation, said: “Operation Crossbow is a perfect opportunity to highlight to our community partners and you, our Cheshire residents, the tireless efforts put in by our officers 365 days a year to keep Cheshire a hostile environment for criminals while keeping residents safe.
“This day of intensified action saw officers of various ranks, departments and expertise come together with a common goal in mind: to bring in wanted criminals who are bold enough to think they can get away with escaping justice.
“And as today’s operation has shown, they were very much mistaken with our officers tracking down over 50 wanted criminals and bringing them into our custody facilities to face the music and be put before the courts.
“Not only this, but due to the outstanding proactive policework and considerable pressure applied by our officers deployed across the county, a number of wanted individuals actively chose to hand themselves in at several of our helpdesks.
“This operation, the first of five deployments for 2026, shows just a small snapshot of our officers’ unwavering efforts in all areas in which we excel in day in, day out, and are part of our everyday policing tactics to continue to keep people safe and reduce crime.
“Whilst the proactive side of the operation has concluded for today, our officers will continue working into the night to complete all the necessary actions from what has been a very busy day for the Constabulary.
“With that in mind, I would like to thank all our officers, staff and community partners who played a role in today’s operation. It is their professionalism and commitment to keeping our residents safe that have led to us securing such positive results.”
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