AN AGGRESSIVE approach by police in West Devon to targeting drug dealers has resulted in a 500 per cent increase in convictions for supply of Class A drugs over the past year, it was revealed this week.
Officers say they are winning the battle against drugs in the borough by a pioneering system of intelligence, an effective management team and working in partnership with other agencies, schools and nightclubs.
Drugs raids in Okehampton last Thursday and Friday which uncovered cannabis valued at around £2,000 and expensive hydroponic equipment for growing the drug, are part of an ongoing police operation to disrupt the drug production and supply network.
In light of the pictures showing the harrowing death of heroin addict Rachel Whitear from Exmouth — released by her parents last week to deter young people from taking drugs — officers are keen to stress they are playing a significant part in reducing the availability of drugs in the borough.
Field intelligence officer DC Jon Bankcroft, who led a drugs awareness evening at Okehampton College last week, attended by more than 200 parents, said the crackdown on drug offenders was having a significant effect on crime as a whole.
'It is no coincidence that crime has dropped dramatically in this area over last 12 months,' he said.
'Drug dealers and users who commit other crime to feed their habits are being locked up.'
DC Bankcroft said Okehampton did not have a drug problem but it was like every other town in the country.
'Every town has drugs in it, and that is a fact but in this area we are keeping pace with it — we have the resources and the set-up and by using aggressive tactics in partnership with other agencies, crime is being driven down.'
The officer said police were working with Nero's Nightclub which had installed a state-of-the-art security system and trained doormen to a high standard. Drug searches had also taken place on the premises with sniffer dogs.
Currently, West Devon also has the highest volume of stop and search checks in the whole of Devon and Cornwall.
'Taking drugs into a nightclub now is a hazard because of the system that is in place — we
want to make life as difficult as possible for the people who supply drugs,' said DC Bankcroft.
Although possession of cannabis now carries a 'slap on the wrist' rather than a conviction, the Government, courts and police were committed to targeting suppliers who enticed people on to harder drugs, added the officer.
Previously a member of Plymouth CID, DC Bankcroft said his experience of talking to addicts revealed that long-term regular use of cannabis was a 'gateway' to drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.
'The only way to really win this fight is to launch a three-pronged attack — police enforcement, health treatment and education,' he said.
'Okehampton College is very pro-active in terms of drugs education and support. I was impressed by the questions that parents asked at the drugs awareness evening and hopefully now they have a better idea of what drugs look like, what they do and where they can go to for help.'