MORE than 100 arrests have been made during a massive police operation to tackle burglaries, theft and drug offences in the high street. And thousands of pounds worth of cannabis has been seized from one premises in Kilburn High Road as part of the two-

MORE than 100 arrests have been made during a massive police operation to tackle burglaries, theft and drug offences in the high street.

And thousands of pounds worth of cannabis has been seized from one premises in Kilburn High Road as part of the two-week operation.

Operation Adragain, which ran from July 29 to August 9, led to 102 arrests in total. The operation aimed to target the high number of burglaries in the area but led to a number of other arrests for connected offences.

On Thursday, August 6, Poolcrest, in Kilburn High Road, was raided by police at 2.55pm and three men arrested. Police seized �3,000 worth of cannabis and the snooker hall has been closed down.

Officers suspected the drug dealing was fuelling burglary rates.

Daniel Fessahazion, 31, of Watling Gardens, Kilburn, was charged with four counts of supplying drugs. The other two men, aged 22 and 52, were arrested for being concurrent in the supply of drugs and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Edgware Road was targeted by police from Brent, Camden and Barnet, as an area used by criminals to visit pawnbrokers to sell stolen goods.

Of the total arrested, 37 have been charged or given cautions of burglary, theft, or drugs related offences and the number of burglaries across the area dropped from 58 to 22.

More than 900 stop and searches were carried out on people suspected of being involved, leading to several arrests and recovery of stolen property and various car checks took place outside Matalan in Cricklewood, which had a secondary effect on the number of shopliftings in the store.

Pawn brokers, bail hostels and cab offices were visited by police and spoken to about their premises being used to aid burglaries and the passing on of stolen goods.

Superintendent Matt Gardner, who led the operation, said: "This operation is a fine example of three boroughs working together to tackle burglary and the results from the two weeks of targeted activity speak for themselves.

"They send out a strong message to burglars that this crime will not be tolerated.

"The communities affected can be reassured that the focus on reducing burglary will not stop following the operation and that it will continue to be a priority.