Last updated at 11:42, Friday, 30 November 2012

POLICE have thanked the community for their help in tackling anti-social behaviour related to drugs.

Between September and November, officers were tasked with looking at disrupting the activities of known drug dealing, reduce drug-driven crime, violence and disorder and to enhance treatment opportunities for drug users or addicts, in the Workington, Maryport and surrounding areas.Sergeant Boyd, who led the operation, said: “The pro-active team was created to offer a dedicated approach to reducing anti-social behaviour relating to drug use in the area. Premises were targeted which were known to have been used for drug dealing or production, people who were known to us for being involved in drugs where subject of street searches.

Support was offered to the people found in possession of the drugs or who were part of a drug network and made sure that they received help if they needed it, the aim of this was to try and break the cycle they were in and stop them having the need to engage in further criminal activity.”

In one incident, officers chased a man through Workington town centre to arrest him for possessing ten wraps of the drug 'plant food'.

Sergeant Boyd continued: “I want to thank the local community for helping us with our efforts to tackle drug related crime, the information they provide helps us to identify the problem areas, the people who are involved in drug related crime and we can take action to bring them to justice or find them the help and assistance they need.

“If you have any information about drug dealing crime or related crime, please contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also follow the activities of the local police on many social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter.”

First published at 11:22, Friday, 30 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk