An operation to tackle serious and organised crime is underway in Gloucestershire.

Operation Endeavour is using a nationally recognised methodology called Clear, Hold, Build.

Clear, Hold, Build sees police and partners pursue criminal gang members using all available powers and tactics to clear an area; continue activity to hold the location, so another gang can't take control in the vacuum; and then partners and police work with residents to build the community into a more prosperous area.

In an exclusive interview with Punchline-Gloucester.com, Rod Hansen, chief constable, said: "Serious organised crime - ranges from online fraud to modern day slavery and human trafficking. It can involve violent acts of poaching, harvesting meat from boar or deer on almost an industrial scale. It can extend to crimes including drugs and firearms and ripping ATMs out of walls using often stolen construction equipment.

"So it's a broad spectrum of criminality, it's all serious, it all has an impact on society and it can generate significant fear.

"There are 17 organised crime groups mapped within the county, many more across the region and several thousand nationally. We have to make sure the right tactics are used against them, because they do vary in their methodology. That number can vary from month to month because we're successful in disrupting or destroying some of those groups, while others tend to flow in in their place.

"Endeavour is about making sure we're successful. We clear some territory, we hold it, but then we build a new community, better community that isn't blighted by criminality. That sustainability is key."

Gloucestershire Constabulary has shared a video of a gang firing fireworks at residential houses. This is an example of the type of incidents that take place in the Clear Hold Build areas.

Chris Nelson, police and crime commissioner, said: "[We have] around the numbers [of police officers] we had in 2010, but crime is more complex today. The population is greater than it was in 2010 and statutory requirements mean officers often have to spend longer on each crime than they did 20 or 30 years ago.

"So, I still need more officers, and I hope that if they change the funding formula, like many other forces, I'll be much better than the 2010 figures."

Endeavour is already underway in areas of Cheltenham, and now work is taking place to identify further sites across Gloucestershire.