A CRACKDOWN on drugs, under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour was this week launched by police in Okehampton. In the last seven days, specialist officers have carried out four house searches for drugs in Okehampton using sniffer dogs. Drugs of classes A,B and C were located and four people were dealt with for drug offences. Sgt Matt Longman, who heads Okehampton?s neighbourhood policing team, said: ?Drug dealing is closely linked to crime within the community and so we will keep the pressure on those involved by undertaking pro-active operations.? Besides targeting drug-taking, Okehampton police are also launching operations aimed at tackling violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the town. Additional officers will be patrolling in the area using dogs and video equipment. It is hoped that this will increase prosecutions but also help to deter offenders in the first place. Sgt Longman said: ?Summer evenings can bring a large number of people into the area and we want these people to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe environment. ?We will therefore be taking a hard line on those behaving irresponsibly, using fixed penalty tickets where appropriate.? As part of the operation, the police are planning to work closely with the staff of licensed premises to crack down on under-age drinking and to ensure that people leave the town quietly at the end of the evening. The chairman of Okehampton Chamber of Trade Ian Bailey welcomed the new operation. He said: ?It?s an incredibly good idea. Anything that makes Okehampton a safer place at night is welcomed by the chamber.? And Okehampton Town Council was also delighted to hear about the campaign. Town mayor Tony Leech said: ?Anti-social behaviour is our main problem in Okehampton, if the police can stamp out any of the problems associated with that, then that?s got to be good for everybody.? Deputy mayor Kay Bickley said: ?There?s definitely a need for this because of the high level of public houses in the town. ?Okehampton has a very vibrant night-time economy which lots of people enjoy. ?Unfortunately, though, there?s a minority that are spoiling it for others and causing criminal damage.? She added that the council was moving forward on its own proposal for CCTV in the town to help combat the same problem, and she praised Okehampton?s publicans for their ongoing commitment to help deal with the issue. Speaking as a magistrate, Cllr Bickley also welcomed the introduction of fixed penalty fines to Okehampton. She said: ?They are very successful in terms of being paid, because if you don?t pay them quickly, they double in size.? ?They are also very effective in keeping people out of court, which means that the courts have more time to deal with more serious offences.? The police are inviting anyone who requires advice about possible drug taking to contact them, and they are asking anybody who suspects local drug activity to call on 01837 658400, or to phone Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
