Street drugs patrols continue

PATROLS in street drug dealing hot spots continued this week in the wake of last Wednesday's dawn raids.

The police's Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been a high visibility presence in notorious town centre dealing areas.

They have acted as a deterrent to dealing and other criminal activity in Briscoe's Walk, Linton Gardens, Waterworks Road and the boating lake area of Alexandra Park.

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This follows the 11 arrests last Wednesday from raids on four homes.

Following the raids one woman was charged with two counts of drug dealing and a man was charged with bail offences.

Eight are on bail pending further enquiries while one man was released with no further action taken.

A further raid on a property in Bohemia Road took place on Monday. No drugs were found, but two persons were arrested on unrelated offences.

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Detective Inspector Tim Nunn, district crime manager, said: "Targeted patrols by PCSOs have been continuing since September 15 and there has been much positive feedback from members of the public about this.

"With the public's assistance, the areas dealers are moving on to will be identified and those will also be targeted."

DI Nunn said the problem of drug dealing was by no means over despite the high profile action taken.

He added: "We acknowledge drug dealing is still taking place. The day after the warrants had been executed, three previously unknown men from London were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in drug supply. Owing to a lack of evidence, they had to be released.

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"These are organised dealers and I would ask the public to continue to contact us, if necessary confidentially via Crimestoppers 0800 555111 with any information regarding dealing in the town. It might be your call that ultimately provides us with the justification to execute further warrants."

Call the police on 0845 6070999 with any information on drug dealing.