Bid to smash Newham drugs dealers

Colin Grainger , Editor Wednesday, September 19, 2012
8:00 AM

New war on street level criminals who bring misery

Newham police this week launched a new offensive street level drug dealers...and want the public to come forward with information about who may be trafficking in the borough.

In the next few weeks officers across Newham will begin carrying out daily operations targeting local drug dealing suspects as part of the Met Police’s war on criminals and crime.

In a renewed initiative, known as Operation Hawk, Safer Neighbourhoods teams, working with specialist colleagues, will be at the forefront of tackling local dealers using local community intelligence.

While officers plan a series of operations, the MPS is asking for information that could help rid communities of the scourge and the crimes and criminals that follow them.

They will be asking:

Do you know who may be dealing drugs?

Do you know where drugs are being sold?

Do you know where drugs are being grown or stored?

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers (an independent charity) anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To find out how to get in touch with your local Safer Neighbourhoods team visit www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods.

While activity to tackle drug dealing has always been a high priority, with major operations carried out with partners, Operation Hawk is being re-focused to increase activity on trafficking at the street level.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is also responding to concerns from local communities, many of whom cite tackling ‘drugs’ as a priority for local Safer Neighbourhoods teams.

Newham Borough Commander Rob Jones said: ““Drug dealing damages communities. It generates crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Estimates show that between a third and a half of all acquisitive crime is committed by offenders to fund their misuse of illegal substances. Communities are also concerned about how street dealing affects their areas. The MPS is determined to tackle this issue head on by bringing together our resources to reclaim and help repair areas affected by drug dealing.

“Community intelligence passed to us will be dealt with as quickly as possible and carefully assessed before, and if, any action is taken. We will then tell communities what action we have taken to address these issues.

“With your help we can make your local community safer. You make the call, we’ll make it stop.”