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When I became police and crime commissioner for Dorset, I was determined to ensure tackling these harmful illegal substances was front and centre of Dorset’s crime-fighting agenda.
Tackling drug crime is at the heart of my Police and Crime Plan, with a commitment to ensure Dorset Police take a robust approach to dealing with drug-related criminality often at the root of crimes including shoplifting, theft, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Alongside enforcement – a key component needed to successfully tackle the scourge of drugs – is the commissioning of crucial local services and education to help reduce and prevent the harm drugs can cause to our society.
Dorset has a Combating Drugs Partnership, of which I am the chair and senior responsible officer.
This ensures that in both Dorset and BCP we vigorously tackle supply chains, deliver quality treatment and recovery systems and work towards achieving a generational shift in the demand for drugs.
When it comes to enforcement, I know through activity including the Dorset Police-led Operation Viper and the regional Operation Scorpion, that the force is wholly committed to taking robust action to cut supply lines and send a clear message that Dorset is no place for drugs.
This is, and will remain, a relentless task, from tackling the street dealers, through to Dorset’s success in smashing county lines drug gangs.
Through Operation Scorpion we work closely with our neighbouring forces and PCCs, putting a ring of steel around the south west, united in our mission to drive drugs out of our communities. This partnership working is key and will continue to successfully combat the harm drugs cause.
I have long campaigned to see illegal gateway drugs such as cannabis taken more seriously by those in power, which would not only give police forces more power to robustly deal with those causing harm but also called for proper investment into prevention – still the orphan at the feast compared to treatment and enforcement.
Currently, we are awaiting a decision on the reclassification of ketamine as a class A substance, a review I fully support and welcome, in part due to my background in the pharmaceutical industry.
I know this extremely dangerous substance was not intended in any way for chronic use, and the recent rise in its usage is obviously of deep concern, as seen in comments from the assistant coroner in Dorset, who warned of an emerging epidemic.
It is time the government took decisive action on these illegal gateway drugs, and my hope is that this review, may provoke a wider discussion on the impact of other illegal gateway drugs.
Lastly, I want to appeal to you, the residents of Dorset.
Community intelligence has always been a vital component in our fight against illegal drugs.
No matter how small you think your piece of information might be, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle needed.
Help Dorset Police to continue their work, ensuring our county remains one of the safest in the country – your report could make all the difference.
How to report:
Speak to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable form online.
You can also use the StreetSafe app, a service which allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving your name, so it is also anonymous.
Or you can report information and intelligence to police online at www.dorset.police.uk/intelligence or call the Force on 101.
“}]] In my first column for Echo readers, I want to address one of the key issues I know affects the feeling of safety for some people in their communities – illegal drugs. Read More
