THE cells at a city police station have been full after police made a string of arrests, including that of a woman wanted for a stabbing.

Operation Justice, part of a targeted campaign against 'persistent criminals', has seen 31 arrests in just three days in South Worcestershire.

This compared to 20 arrests over the same period - Monday to Wednesday - of the previous week which reflects increased activity by West Mercia to target persistent criminals. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: DECISIVE: Police have executed a string of warrants across South Worcestershire as part of Operation Justice DECISIVE: Police have executed a string of warrants across South Worcestershire as part of Operation Justice (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The targeted police operation across South Worcestershire - Worcester, Malvern, Evesham, Droitwich and Pershore - has contributed to around half of these arrests. One of those arrested includes a 38-year-old woman wanted in connection with a serious assault in Kent.

She was arrested by West Mercia Police and returned to Kent as part of an ongoing investigation.

READ MORE: Murder suspect arrested at Worcester railway station as part of Operation Justice 

READ MORE: Arrests in Worcester and Evesham as police swoop as part of Operation Justice 

In total, 12 arrests have been made so far for theft offences alone and there have been two prison recalls, including that of convicted robber, 52-year-old John Silk, who forced entry into the home of an 83-year-old man and stole his wallet. Monday was a particularly busy day with nine arrests in and around Worcester alone with the momentum continuing the following day as the focus shifted to Evesham. 

Five officers in a marked van carried out the arrest at Corn Mill Road, Evesham, with officers scaling a fence to gain entry.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: DUTY: Police scale a fence in Evesham on Tuesday morning to make a public order arrest as part of Operation Justice DUTY: Police scale a fence in Evesham on Tuesday morning to make a public order arrest as part of Operation Justice (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The suspect, who was feeding her sheep in the garden at the time, was arrested for a public order offence. Police said she had failed to attend two interviews which she denied.

DI Dave Knight said all 23 cells at Worcester Police Station had been full - and the city had also taken prisoners from Kidderminster when their 12 cells also became full. "This is a direct result of Operation Justice," said DI Knight of Proactive CID, based at Worcester Police Station in Castle Street.

The operation has been described as one of 'enhanced focus' for police with DI Knight saying it had helped 'clear the decks' to free up officers for proactive patrols and to respond to the most urgent calls.

"Demand isn't diminishing within the police," said DI Knight. 

We have previously reported how West Mercia Police is undertaking a force-wide week of action to target individuals persistent in their criminality and who create the most harm among communities.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: FULL: All 23 cells have been full at Worcester Police Station at times during Operation Justice FULL: All 23 cells have been full at Worcester Police Station at times during Operation Justice (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Chief Superintendent Paul Moxley said on Monday: “This will include arresting a number of individuals who are wanted for crimes such as burglary drugs and anti-social behaviour.

“Operation Justice will mean increased police activity at various times as suspects are taken into custody."

The aim of the operation is to track down those suspects who thought that they may have evaded prosecution, those who 'have gone to ground' and 'those who continue to blight local communities with their unacceptable anti-social behaviour'.