THE scourge of illegal drug trafficking was once again in the sights of Barrow Police as it carried out a week of action in south Cumbria.

Every facet of the illegal supply of drugs into the area was targeted throughout a multi-agency operation, code-named 'Quadrant.'

The drug squad, British Transport Police, Trading Standards and rehabilitation staff combined to hit the perpetrators of crime where it hurt, sending out a message Cumbria is not an easy target, and its residents will not be exploited.

Inspector Jim Bailey, of Barrow Police, said: "It's looking at the prevention side of the organised crime networks. Identifying vulnerable people and offering them support, and trying to deter organised crime networks getting their claws into people.

"We are going to address where we think they are being abused by dealers."

During the operation, which targeted both Barrow and Kendal, 11 arrests were made throughout the course of the week.

On Monday (5) officers raided a property in Ormsgill; this saw an abusive suspect arrested and hauled away by four officers to a waiting police van. A terrified Jack Russell, covered in sores and other injuries was taken into the police's protection after being found inside the raided property. A 43-year-old man was later charged with animal cruelty and possession of a class A drug.

As the police work to cut down drug crime in south Cumbria the focus has increasingly shifted to engagement and prevention within affected communities.

Insp Bailey knows smashing inside known ciminals houses sends a clear message, but unless people are offered a way out of drug dependency very little with change.

He said: "This has been yet another successful operation which has seen us build even more on the brilliant partnership working that has been carried out on the two previous Operation Quadrants.

“While tackling crime is our day-to-day business, this operation allowed staff to be designated from around the Force in a joined up, targeted approach, with other agencies.

“The arrests and seizures should send a strong message to criminals who think they can get away with the harm they do to our communities – we will seek to find you, and ensure you answer for your crimes."

A separate operation, code-named 'Shake' is also under way focusing on the prevention side of drug enforcement. Communities in which drug gangs are 'cuckoo-ing' addresses - effectively running a drug den from an addict's home - will be targeted by police in the coming weeks.

Insp Bailey continued: "As well as removing these criminals from the streets, this operation has allowed further opportunities for our officers to visits the most vulnerable in our communities, and to provide them with advice on where they can get more support."

Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said of the operation: “This is yet another great example of effective, robust and joined-up policing at its best, and I’d like to pass on my thanks to those involved. Would-be criminals need to know that Cumbria is not a soft touch – and offenders will be brought to justice.”

Police change gear to tackle motorist crime

As part of the week-long operation Trading Standards officers joined the police as they took to the roads of Barrow.

Following a recent rise in reported thefts from tradesman's vans in the town, a temporary check point was set up on the A590 on Tuesday March 6.

The checkpoint served a dual purpose of informing motorists on how to keep their property safe, but also to identify drivers whose vehicles may not be road worthy.

Inspector Jim Bailey, of Barrow Police, said: "We've had a couple of burglaries where vehicles are being broken into. We stop drivers on the road, and give them a bit of advice.

"We're looking at the market for stolen goods, on seek and sell pages, eBay, people down the pub. People buy things quite anonymously."

Working alongside the Cumbria County Council trading standards team the police are able to access information normally not open to them.

Operation Quadrant - the results

A week-long proactive drive by police in south Cumbria to hit known drug criminals has come to a successful conclusion.

Warrants were executed on seven addresses in the area; five in Barrow, one in Kendal and one in Windermere, where controlled drugs such as amphetamines were seized.

In Barrow a total of eight were arrested throughout the duration of Operation Quadrant.

- A woman, 51, and a man, 48, for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. They have been released under investigation.

- A 28-year-old for actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He has been released with no further action to be taken.

- 50-year-old Philip Davey, of St Luke's Street, Barrow, was arrested and charged for possession of a Class C drug.

- One man, 43, for animal cruelty and possession of a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation and and the dog was seized by police.

- One man, 20, for being on recall to prison. He has been returned to prison.

- Two men aged 26 and 46 for indecent images offences offences. The 46-year-old was released under investigation, the 26-year-old was charged and has been remanded in custody.

- One 17-year-old man and one 18-year-old man for theft of a vehicle. Released under investigation.

- One 16-year-old boy from Barrow arrested and charged for a public order offence.