Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed efforts by Hampshire Constabulary to disrupt seven drugs networks during a dedicated County Lines Intensification week earlier this month.
It has been reported to the City MP that police in Portsmouth have recently successfully intercepted more than £12,500 worth of crack cocaine and heroin and disrupted seven drugs networks.
The latest intervention by local police saw officers focus their efforts on county lines, tackling the drug supply and related high harm that brings violence and misery to communities and exposes young people at risk to exploitation.
A number of dedicated warrants and proactive patrols were executed across the city, resulting in 19 arrests and the safeguarding of people that we identified as vulnerable. Six of those arrested were charged and remanded into custody by the courts. Officers also recovered and removed a number of weapons from our streets, including several knives and a BB gun.
Stephen Morgan, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said:
“National action on drugs and crime is long overdue as the Government has allowed serious problems to grow over the last few years. Class A drug use has increased, drug-related deaths are going up, and the number of children referred as suspected victims of county lines is increasing. Meanwhile, more than £100m has been cut from treatment services, and cuts to policing budgets have day-to-day consequences in our communities.
“Government must do more with Ministers setting out a plan which properly reverses the damage done, stops communities being blighted by criminal drug dealing and properly addresses the new and serious drug related problems that are emerging.
“With drug use up, serious violence up, anti-social behaviour up, I welcome this latest intervention by our local police. With more bobbies on the beat and better resources, more action can be taken to end the blight county lines causing our city’s communities.
“I will continue to raise these concerns in Westminster, and call for Government to fairer fund our Constabulary”.
Detective Sergeant Pete Eamer of Hampshire Constabulary’s Eastern Criminal Investigation Department added:
“Our fight against drugs in Portsmouth continues at pace. We are working harder than ever to crack down on county lines, which bring misery to communities in the form of drug dealing and violence.
“We continue to work with the relevant partner services and agencies in the city to help safeguard and support children and vulnerable adults. We use a variety of options available to them, including Rescue and Response referrals, strategy meetings, the creation and implementation of safety plans and creating Modern Slavery Crime reports.
“The success of these operations wouldn’t be possible without the intelligence that you, the community provide. Even the smallest pieces of information that is provided can often benefit our investigations.
“I’d like to thank the public for their assistance in continuing to report crime and intelligence to us either directly or via the independent charity Crimestoppers.”
Mr Morgan has pledged to continue to work alongside local authorities and police to tackle drug-related in crime in the city.
