Highland & Islands Police Crack Down On Defaulters - 200 Arrests In First Week

10th September 2014

Operation DEKA - Highland & Islands Division.

More than 350 warrants have been executed and almost 200 people arrested in the first week of a new high-profile Police crackdown targeting offenders wanted on warrant.

Operation DEKA was instigated by Police Scotland to proactively target those wanted on warrant throughout the North and Northeast of Scotland.

Fine defaulters with an accumulated debt of £37,459 have also been dealt with during the first phase of the operation.

Officers started the campaign on 1st September 2014, and have been working in partnership with representatives of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Scottish Court Service.

They identified and arrested a total of 190 people wanted on warrant for outstanding crimes, failure to appear at court, failure to comply with court orders and non-payment of fines.

A total of 147 Apprehension Warrants were executed while 207 Warrants related to failure to pay fines.

Of those arrested, a number related to crimes of violence and disorder, including assault and antisocial behaviour.

Other warrants were for a wide spectrum of offending, including misuse of drugs and theft of or from property.

Five individuals were arrested on Extract Conviction Warrants whichmeant they went directly to prison instead of paying a fine.

During the operation, a man was also arrested for being in possession of a knife in Aberdeen.

The Operation aims to prevent crime and provide public reassurance in order to keep people safe.

Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Thomson, responsible for policing in the North of Scotland, said: "The aim of this ongoing operation is to disrupt criminal activity, target criminals and prevent crime. This visible and robust enforcement has supported communities throughout the North and Northeast of Scotland.

"Our activities though Operation DEKA will support the work we do day in day out to reduce the number of victims of crime and proactively focus on those criminals who are most prolific, commit most crime and cause the most issues within our communities."

In the Highlands and Islands, during week one of the operation a total of 47 warrants were executed, ten offenders were arrested and fine defaulters with an accumulated debt of £5000 were dealt with.

Inspector Alisdair Macleod said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for information we have received that has helped track down these wanted persons. I continue to would ask that anyone with information regarding wanted persons please contact police on 101.

"As of week one, ten people have been arrested and £5000 of unpaid fines has been enforced. Into week two, We will continue with Operation DEKA and anyone who is, or should find themselves wanted on warrant, should consider attending at a police station of their own volition to have the matter resolved."