Five people have been arrested after a series of search warrants were carried out across Luton and Shefford.
The warrants were part of an ongoing investigation into a large violent disorder that happened in Luton on March 3, after police received reports gun shots had been fired and several people were fighting with weapons in the Hallwicks Road area.
After searching the area, an address was found to be housing a cannabis factory close to the scene.
Five men were initially arrested in connection with the incident and have been since been released on bail.
In the early hours of Friday morning, April 9, officers searched three addresses in Luton and two in Shefford.
As a result, a further five men, all in their 30s, were arrested in connection with the violent disorder.
They were subsequently charged on Saturday, April 10 with a number of violent disorder, drug supply and drug production offences.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “We are progressing well in our investigation into the violent disorder and have been following several lines of enquiry to identify those responsible.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to any use of illegal firearms and we hope that these recent arrests and charges reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate this incident and bring those responsible to justice.
“If anyone has any information that can help us with our enquiries, please get in touch.
“We are doing all we can, but would always implore our communities to help us stamp out gun crime and serious violence. You don’t have to talk to us – if you have information or concerns, speak to Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously and in confidence.”
If you have any information about this incident please call on 101, quoting Operation Galway, or report online at www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To find out more on what we are doing to tackle violence and exploitation throughout the county, visit www.bavex.co.uk
