Plain-clothes police patrols on streets to tackle ‘overt’ use of drugs
CONCERNS RAISED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS
PLAIN-CLOTHED police officers are set to patrol city streets where residents say they have witnessed ‘overt’ drug use.
Northumbria Police has launched an operation in Byker and Walker which will target a number of areas that have become hotspots for dealers and users of illegal substances.
Code-named ‘Operation Shield,’ the crackdown will see plain-clothed officers deployed to catch the dealers in the act.
Surveillance of key targets will be carried out, while uniformed neighbourhood officers will be speaking to residents to get intelligence about criminal activity.
And police have warned that early morning raids could also take place at properties believed to be involved in the supply of drugs.
Northumbria Police’s Neighbourhood Inspector for the area, Dan
Whyte, said the operation was launched after concerns were raised about drug dealing by the local community.
“There have been a number of concerns raised with us about drug paraphernalia being dumped across Byker and Walker as well as overt drug use,” he said.
“Some addresses have been reported to us as being involved in the supply of drugs and that can often see frequent visitors to an address.
“That can in turn lead to anti-social behaviour that leaves vulnerable residents who live in the area feeling scared to walk in their own neighbourhood.
“We have been carrying out activity across Byker and Walker to address this for some time and a number of drug warrants have been executed in recent weeks.
“But now we are launching Operation Shield so these wards are even more of a hostile place for drug dealers and drug users.
“We will be deploying plainclothed officers, carrying out surveillance and uniformed officers will be patrolling on foot at a number of key locations.
“The aim is to make it as difficult as possible for drug dealers to operate in Byker and Walker while also identifying those involved in this criminality. “Anyone who has information about those involved in drug dealing in their community is encouraged to contact us so we can respond accordingly.”
As part of Operation Shield police will be targeting a number of troubled streets and high rise flats in the area.
They include Kendal House, Raby Street, Belvedere Court, Losh Terrace and St Anthony’s Road.
The operation is being supported by a number of other organisations including Safe Newcastle, which is the Community Safety Partnership for Newcastle.
Coun Clare Penny-Evans, the chair of Safe Newcastle, said: “Ours is a safe city, but we know that there are issues, such as drug supply and misuse, that impact on our communities.
“As a partnership we have worked hard over many years to respond to community concerns, tackle offending, protect and support victims of crime, and improve the lives of local people.
“And it is positive to see this new initiative helping to address one of our key priorities by aiming to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs.”
Anyone who wants to report information to the Operation Shield team can do so by emailing newcastleeastnpt@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.
The aim is to make it as difficult as possible for drug dealers to operate in Byker and Walker Dan Whyte