Operation Tornado: 24 Hours. One mission. safer streets on the coast.

Operation Tornado: 24 Hours. One mission. safer streets on the coast.

North Yorkshire Police officers, staff and partners have carried out a major 24-hour operation across Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, targeting knife crime, organised criminality and those who pose the greatest risk to local communities.

The activity formed part of the latest Operation Tornado and took place over a 24-hour period from Wednesday 14 October into Thursday 15 October 2026. Officers from neighbourhood policing teams, roads policing, the Rural Task Force and specialist departments joined forces to deliver enforcement, prevention and engagement activity across the Coastal Command area.

The operation focused on tackling knife crime, disrupting offenders, protecting communities and engaging with residents, businesses and young people.

During the operation, officers arrested 10 people, seized 101 suspected knives/weapons, executed four warrants, seized illegal class – A drugs, targeted wanted suspects and prolific offenders, and carried out intelligence-led patrols and stop searches. Roads policing officers were deployed on key routes including the A64, A169 and A170, targeting travelling criminals, weapon carriers, drug offenders and organised crime groups using the region's transport network. Activity was supported by targeted enforcement against outstanding suspects and individuals known to be involved in criminality across the coastal area.

As the focus of the day was on knife crime, officers executed a warrant at a business premises on Foreshore Road in Scarborough. A further warrant was carried out at another premises in the town, which is connected to the business, resulting in the seizure of 101 suspected illegal weapons. Enquiries are ongoing to determine any offences that may have been committed in relation to the items recovered. 12260202143

In Malton, officers executed a warrant at a property on Honeysuckle Street. During the search, officers recovered approximately eight grams of suspected Class A drugs, around £2,500 in cash, weighing scales, deal bags and a mobile phone. Enquiries into the offences identified remain ongoing. 12260202273

Alongside enforcement activity, officers spent time engaging directly with communities. Staff held engagement events at Scarborough Hospital to speak with members of the public about knife crime and community safety, while neighbourhood officers visited Gladstone Primary School in Scarborough to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

Crime prevention and reassurance patrols were carried out across Scarborough town centre, with officers working alongside businesses to tackle retail crime and promote crime prevention initiatives. Additional patrols took place in rural areas across Ryedale and Whitby, providing reassurance to residents and helping prevent rural crime.

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Bisset joined officers throughout the operation. DCC Bisset said: "Over the past 24 hours, officers and staff from across North Yorkshire Police have come together with one clear aim: to make our communities safer.

"Knife crime ruins lives. While thankfully incidents remain relatively low in North Yorkshire, we know that carrying a knife can have devastating consequences, which is why we are relentless in pursuing those who choose to carry weapons and commit crime.

"We also know that knives are often transported through our road and rail networks, sometimes moving between communities and into the hands of those intent on causing harm. That is why operations like Tornado are so important. By targeting key transport routes, working with partners and taking proactive action against offenders, we can disrupt criminality, remove weapons from our streets and help keep our communities safe.

"However, enforcement alone is not enough. Education is a vital part of tackling knife crime. By working with schools, young people and communities, we can help people understand the devastating consequences that carrying a knife can have, challenge misconceptions and prevent individuals from becoming involved in violence in the first place.

"What I saw throughout this operation was a real commitment to both enforcement and prevention. By combining robust policing with education and engagement, we can continue to protect our communities and keep North Yorkshire a safe place to live, work and visit."

Operation Tornado results:

 Arrests: 10

 Suspected illegal Weapons seized: 101

 Warrants executed: four

 Stop searches conducted: two

 Wanted persons located: two

Cash and suspected Class A drugs also seized during execution of warrants

One Vehicle Seized

Seven Enforcement events

Six engagement events across the command

Four education Events

Four prevention Events

Anyone with information about knife crime, drug dealing or other criminal activity in their community is encouraged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Op Tornado forms part of North Yorkshire Police's ongoing commitment to pursuing offenders, preventing crime and protecting communities across North Yorkshire.