Police swooped on perpetrators of burglary and drugs crime in Stevenage to make numerous arrests at the weekend.

On Friday officers from the Operation Scorpion anti-drugs campaign executed a warrant at a property in the Shephall area.

A 17-year-old youth was arrested and charged for nine separate drugs offences, including possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and being in possession of an offensive weapon. He appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Monday.

A 37-year-old-woman was also arrested on suspicion of permitting the premises to be used for the supply of drugs. She has been released on bail until May.

In an unrelated incident Josh Stapleton, aged 26, of Twinwoods in Stevenage was also arrested on Friday on suspicion of shoplifting at the Tesco Express in Chells Way on February 7 and a burglary at a garage in Blair Close on Friday, where two bikes were stolen.

He was charged with both offences, pleaded guilty at Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

On Saturday, 30-year-old Andrew Crozier of no fixed address in Stevenage was arrested in Queensway at 11.40pm for going equipped to burgle and being in possession of suspected stolen property and motor vehicle offences.

He was later charged with money laundering offences and going equipped to burgle.

He appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Monday, and was recalled to prison for 14 days.

On Sunday, 45-year-old Kevin Hayden from Walden End was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of Class A drugs. He was charged with the offence and released on bail until March 29, when he is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates Court.

Daniel Breckenridge aged, 31, of no fixed address in Stevenage was arrested on Saturday, at 3.45pm on Buckthorn Avenue. He was arrested on suspicion of three shoplifting offences at the Co-Op store at the Hyde on February 25, Tesco Express in Chells Way on February 28 and the Co-op in Knebworth on February 28.

He was charged with all three offences and remanded. He appeared at Court on Monday, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and ordered to pay a fine of £115.

Detective Sergeant Phoebe Butfoy, said “It’s been a busy weekend which saw some excellent results. Thanks to quick thinking members of the public and some excellent police work, we have been able to make numerous arrests.

“I would like to thank those residents and everyone who helps us on a daily basis, crack down on crime in Stevenage.”