MORE than 400 people have been arrested by Cambridgeshire Police’s Tactical Team since it launched last April.

Since it launched on April 2 last year the team, made up of an inspector, three sergeants, 28 constables, a PCSO and special constables, carried out 232 search warrants, submitted more than 1,700 items of intelligence, arrested 441 people and conducted more than 2,600 stop-searches.

The centrally-based team, a first for the force, has also carried out targeted patrols and warrants, including a metal theft day of action, burglary crackdowns and Op Tundra – the investigation into the Fitzwilliam College artefact burglary in Cambridge.

Inspector Ian Ford, who leads the team, said: “I’m pleased the team is able to make a significant impact on targeting local criminality and supporting the force with emerging crime patterns.

“The type of results we’re seeing is exactly the type of work the public can expect to see from us.

“Our other key responsibility was to maintain a Rural Crime Team that was able to respond and adapt to those crimes which predominantly affect rural communities across Cambridgeshire.

“I believe we have largely achieved this by working closely with rural partners in developing intelligence and tackling offenders who commit rural crime, as well as supporting policing districts with their crime and anti-social behaviour issues.”