Crack down on drugs in Berwick
Jul 24 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal
POLICE yesterday arrested nine people suspected of being involved in drug dealing in a series of dawn raids across a Northumberland town.
Around 80 officers from across the Northumbria Police area raided five addresses in Berwick in Operation Blowtorch, a pre-planned exercise to tackle the supply of heroin in the area.
Officers conducted searches of the homes and seized quantities of the class A drug from three of the properties, and also cannabis and diazepam.
Those detained, seven men and two women, were arrested on suspicion of a variety of drugs offences and were being held at police stations in Berwick and Alnwick.
The arrests are the culmination of a six-month intelligence gathering operation which began after concerns were raised by the community about problems with heroin in the area. Police hope to make further arrests.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Lambert, Area Commander for Northumberland, said: “This is a significant operation for Berwick but we want to stress that Berwick is no different to anywhere else.
“These raids directly targeted the small number of people in the town who bring misery to others through their involvement with drugs.
“Berwick rightly has a reputation as a safe, low-crime area and a popular holiday resort. We will not let the activity of a few individuals taint this.
“This intelligence-led operation was carried out with the help of the community and we would urge them to continue to be vigilant. With their help we are able to target known criminals associated with crime at all levels and on this occasion nine people have been arrested.
“Today’s activity sends out a clear message to criminals that we know who they are and it is only a matter of time before we catch up with them.”
Officers from Northumbria have been working closely with Lothian and Borders Police and Berwick Borough Council throughout the operation. Council chief executive Jane Pannell said: “Berwick has a reputation as a low crime area and we want to keep it that way. Although drugs are a relatively small problem in Berwick, our community has expressed concern about increased drug use in the area.
“Working with the police we have taken positive action to ensure that the few people who are dealing drugs are stopped.”
Mr Lambert added: “It does not stop here. We want people who are dependent on drugs to see this an opportunity to seek help for their drug dependency.” Anyone who would like help in giving up drugs can ring a family support helpline operated by Escape on 07702833944.
