Police in Weymouth have raided addresses in the town in a bid to tackle drug dealing and misuse – with a number of people arrested.
Today – Monday 11 April 2016 – was the first day of ongoing action as part of an intelligence-led operation by Dorset Police.
A total of four properties were raided and six people arrested on suspicion of drug misuse and supply offences.
Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Browning said: “Today’s warrants were carried out as a direct result of police intelligence and information from the community about alleged drug dealing.
“As part of ongoing police work, officers will continue to listen to communities and we will continue to keep the pressure on suspected individuals in a bid to rid our streets of drug dealing and misuse and the anti-social behaviour that goes with it.
“Today we are sending a very clear message to anyone suspected of drug dealing that you be arrested.”
Over the last two years Dorset Police has worked with our partner agencies under the banner of Op Champion to tackle criminal activity in Weymouth and provide reassurance to residents.
Op Champion has seen officers targeting drug-related crime in the area by carrying high-visibility intelligence-led patrols and responding to intelligence from the community.
Since it was launched in November 2013 there have been more than 300 drug-related arrests in Weymouth. In the majority of searches carried out under the Misuse of Drugs Act, drugs including heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis have been seized. Some of those individuals arrested were linked to organised criminal gangs based in Dorset and London.
Inspector Browning continued: “We take the concerns of the public very seriously and we will continue to work closely with members of the Weymouth community to keep the town safe and proactively deal with information relating to drugs offences and other criminal or anti-social behaviour.
“I would urge members of the public who may have concerns, suspicions or any information about the misuse of drugs to contact Dorset Police on 101, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.”
Graham Duggan, Head of Community Protection at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, said: “We are wholly supportive of the actions that the police are taking in the borough.
“It is vitally important to our communities that we get drugs off the streets and tackle the associated crime that comes with drug use and dealing.”
