A MONTH-LONG police operation targeting drug dealers and troublemakers on Winsford’s Wharton Estate has been hailed a huge success.

Operation Hamburg, coordinated by Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit Sergeant Danny Haddock, saw officers dedicate 115 extra hours to high visibility foot patrols around the estate. Vale Royal Borough Council and Weaver Vale Housing Trust (WVHT) lent their support, with the Trust issuing warnings to problem tenants over their future behaviour.

Over the course of the month:

Drugs raids took place at seven homes, resulting in four arrests

Thirty stolen wild bird eggs were found

Five WVHT garages were found illegally storing items

Twenty-eight tenants were served with seven-day warning notices because of the state of their gardens – and seven were prosecuted

Twelve vehicles were clamped for road tax offences.

Sgt Haddock said: “There is no doubt Operation Hamburg has had the desired effect in Wharton – particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which have both been reduced.”

The month before the operation police recorded 31 incidents of criminal damage on the estate. During the October 13-November 9 operation, the figure fell to 19.

Sgt Haddock added: “The figures show just what impact the operation had. The feedback we’ve had from residents is very positive.”