Police launch drugs crackdown

Greater Manchester Police will be working with communities blighted by drug crime this week in a bid to reassure communities that their concerns are being addressed.

The aim of the week is to bring drug dealers to justice and a range of tactics will be implemented to achieve this, including raids on drug dens, targeting known and suspected offenders and roadside checks.

The Police’s Scorpion priority group has arranged the week of action, in which they intend to further explore the impact of drugs, raise the awareness of the dangers of drugs to young people through workshops in schools and increase public confidence in the Police.

Police Officers will also be working with pub and club landlords to tackle drug use and dealing in licensed premises, as well as working alongside council officers and drugs workers to set up displays and information points to help users, family and friends access the support they need.

A seminar for property owners, letting agents and housing associations on Thursday (11 June) morning at the City of Manchester Stadium will warn them to be on their guard against criminals that rent residential property to use as cannabis farms and drug factories.

Chief Superintendent Steven Hartley who leads Greater Manchester Police’s Scorpion priority group said: “Drug crime destroys communities, fuels a whole range of other crimes, breaks up families and wastes lives.

“Communities across our county have raised it as being a major concern and through Scorpion, this week of action and on-going work targeting drug crime at all levels we are responding to those concerns.

“A major element of the many successes we have had against drug crime in the last year has been the level of support and information we have received from local people about crime in their neighbourhoods.

“Through Scorpion we want to rid communities of the poison of drug crime and make them safe for law-abiding citizens to live, work and grow up in.”

If you or someone you know is a drug user and want help or information you can call FRANK free on 0800 77 66 00 or go to www.talktofrank.com.

You can report information about crime directly to police on 0161 872 50 50 or call Crime stoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.