Part time police arrest drug suspects

A TEAM of part-time police officers arrested five people on suspicious of possessing drugs in just a few hours in Warrington town centre.
The Special Constables were working alongside regular officers from the town centre neighbourhood policing unit.
All five people arrested were suspected of having Class A drugs.
Insp Richard Reeves said: “This operation shows the valuable contribution that members of the Special Constabulary are making in Warrington. The operation was co-ordinated by Special Constable Andrew Shields – who does a lot of work with us in Warrington town centre.
“The Specials were assisted by colleagues from the town centre NPU and operations like this show the strong partnership that we have formed with them.
“The operation was a great success and we hope that it sends out a strong message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and that anyone found to be using or supplying drugs in Warrington town centre will be dealt with.”
Many of the Specials conducted the operation in plain clothes. They patrolled the town’s main streets on foot and acted on any intelligence provided in relation to drugs.
They were assisted by staff at the town centre CCTV suite – who were able to identify potential offenders as they made their way through town.
Inspector Reeves added: “This operation also highlighted the excellent links that we have with the town centre CCTV suite – staff were able to identify potential offenders on screen and direct officers to them. They were a valuable link in terms of the operation.”
A further 23 people were arrested for a variety of offences including drugs offences, public order, affray and assault.
There were 13 arrests in relation to drugs offences – four people were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and nine people were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.
Three people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, one for assault, one for public order offences and one for criminal damage.
Inspector Reeves said: “Our proactive approach to dealing with drug use in the town centre means that we are arresting more people for this type of crime. There is no evidence to suggest that offences involving drugs are increasing – the figures reflect our proactive approach and the fact that we are identifying and arresting more offenders.
“We want to reassure the public that we will continue to proactively target those involved in drug use and supply and will take positive action where necessary.”
Two people were also arrested for breaching a Section 27 notice. This is a new power known as the ‘Direction to Leave’ power. The purpose is to minimise the likelihood of alcohol-related crime or disorder taking place.
Police officers can issue an individual aged 16 or over with a direction to leave a particular area for a period of up to 48 hours – if they feel there is a chance of alcohol-related crime or disorder taking place. If they then breach that direction they will be arrested.
Inspector Reeves added: “We have already issued a large number of Section 27 notices in relation to the town centre and it is helping us to get rid of potential trouble makers from the area before they can do any damage. If they then choose to return to that area they will be arrested for breaching the direction to leave and we will take positive action against them.”