Police chief responds after Sutton residents left 'frightened' by drug taking in flats

Inspector Mark Dickson says that “every possible effort” is being made to remove the “scourge” of drug crimes and says an increase in officers is planned.

Councillor David Hennigan was contacted by residents near the town centre, after drug users were seen with “needles hanging from their arms.”

The councillor had expressed his “frustration” at the response by 101 call handlers to the problem.

Inspector Dickson, responsible for Ashfield’s neighbourhood policing said: “Every call to our non-emergency number is assessed on the threat, risk, harm and vulnerability of all those affected and the wider public. Action is taken accordingly.

“Taking illegal drugs off our streets and punishing those responsible for their production and supply remains a key priority.

“Proactive raids, residential and commercial, are a central part of our response, we are carrying out an increased number.

“Twelve proactive raids took place in the district in the past month, raids are often the result of intelligence from members of the community andtake time to plan and execute.

“We need to assess information, check it with intelligence reports, gain a warrant from the courts and finally plan and execute a safe and effective raid. We also need to ensure the identity of people who have made reports are protected.

“I’d like to reassure people that every bit of drug-related intelligence received via 101 and elsewhere is followed up, and if appropriate acted upon.

“The subsequent raids are often very successful, as quite a few local suspects have recently discovered, and quite a few more will discover in the weeks ahead.

“The good news is that relentless pressure on drug dealers will continue for the foreseeable future, aided by an increasing number of officers.

“Some of those officers are as the result of a national uplift in police numbers, others part of a Nottinghamshire Police initiative tackling organised criminality.

“Councillor Hennigan is right, ‘drugs ruin lives.’ Every day officers see the devastation they bring to individuals and damage to communities. I can reassure him, every possible effort is being made to rid our communities of the scourge of drug related crime.”

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