Police Crackdown On Class A Drug Dealers
12 Jan 2005
Operation Crackdown is being co-ordinated by ACPO and the Home Office. It will involve 32 police forces in England and Wales, focusing on closing drug dens, disrupting local drug markets, seizing illegal firearms and bringing dealers to justice. A key part of the campaign will be working closely with communities.
The campaign is part of the Government's and the police service's wider work to tackle drugs and crime.
Home Office Minister, Caroline Flint, said:
"There is a clear link between class A drugs and crime, including gun crime, and the Government is determined to do everything it can to tackle harm caused by drugs.
"Operation Crackdown sends a clear message to drug dealers that their behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities and that they will be brought to justice and face harsh penalties.
"Throughout the campaign local police forces will work with local authorities, treatment workers and Drug Action Teams in a targeted approach to tackle this menace.
"During this campaign police forces will also be focusing on seizing illegal firearms, ensuring that wherever possible guns are taken off the streets. Where the police feel it is appropriate, this could include conducting stop and search operations in targeted areas to clamp down on the carrying of firearms and other weapons associated with drugs.
"As well as taking class A drugs out of the supply chain, Operation Crackdown will get more drug users into treatment and away from crime, making communities safer."
ACPO lead on drugs and Chief Constable of Norfolk constabulary, Andy Hayman, said:
"Class A drugs remain a pressing priority for the Police Service given the threat and danger they present to society.
"This campaign demonstrates the Police Service and Government's commitment to target and reduce the supply of class A drugs in communities across the country by using a series of enforcement measures to dismantle class A drug markets, disrupt drug dealing operations and get more drug users into treatment."
National Crime Squad Head of Drugs, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave King, said:
"The National Crime Squad will be doing all it can to support forces in this important initiative. We will be working closely with partners such as NCIS and HMC&E to make a real impact on serious and organised class A criminality which affects all communities nationally."
The Government's national drug strategy is tackling the harm caused by class A drugs to individuals, families and communities. The Government has also introduced the Drug Intervention Programme to tackle drug-using offenders, set up the FRANK helpline to give young people and parents reliable information about drugs, and is investing approximately £453 million a year in drug treatment.