East Area Officers Take Part In County Lines Intensification Week As 28 Arrests Made And Large Amounts of Ketamine And Weapons Removed.

Police forces across the country have taken part in the national County Lines Intensification Week.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs, typically from large cities to towns and rural areas.  Often, young vulnerable children are used to carry and deliver the drugs, sometimes involving carrying weapons. This cycle leads to serious violence in our communities.

During County Lines Intensification Week in November, officers on East Area – which covers Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge – showed their commitment to tackling drug supply by pulling together to target those intent on exploiting vulnerable young people and harming our communities from the supply of drugs.

 Collaboratively, the teams made 28 arrests for offences including possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs; burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

Officers across our boroughs also submitted intelligence reports, launched 25 investigations and conducted 65 stop and searches, 35 of which, resulted in a sanction. 

 A large amount of illegal items have been recovered including 1kg of ketamine, 400 wraps of Class A drugs, 150 bags of cannabis and five weapons.  In addition, cash amounting to over £18,000, 23 mobile phones and 15 vehicles were seized.

 Inspector Shaju Bhaskaren for East Area’s Pro-Active Unit said:

“These results highlight our dedication to removing dangerous criminals from our communities and safeguarding vulnerable young people from being exploited.

“I would ask all parents and caregivers to talk to their children – if you notice differences in their behaviour or see them in possession of expensive items which can’t be accounted for, this could be a sign they are being exploited. Please come and speak with a local police officer as we can help. With the help of the community we can also identify those exploiting children and hold them to account for their actions.”

You can read more about the results across the country here https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/over-500-weapons-seized-and-1-400-vulnerable-people-safeguarded-during-crackdown-of-county-line-drug-dealers

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