More than 500 suspects charged with drug offences as crackdown continues

We have charged more than 500 suspects with drug related offences in the last year as we continue to proactively target supply across Staffordshire.

On Monday (28 August), ministers wrote to Chief Constables across the UK as part of a series of announcements for policing nationally – including investigations, neighbourhood policing and drug crime.

The plans form part of the government’s ten-year drug strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope’, which covers issues around supply and demand, treatment, recovery and enforcement.

It outlines the need for proactive visible policing to target the highest harm substances, tackle the organised crime gangs selling them and prevent drug-related deaths.

Alongside our neighbouring forces, we launched Op Target in June to proactively target serious and organised crime in Staffordshire. In the last 12-months, we have charged more than 500 suspects with drug related offences and carried out more than 2,500 stop-and-searches as part of this commitment to targeting supply and supporting those who are most vulnerable in our communities.

In the last 12-months, we have:

• Increased the number of positive outcomes from the previous year by one per cent
• Charged 553 suspects with drug related offences in Staffordshire
• Issued 468 community resolution notices relating to drug crime
• Increased the number of stop-and-searches from the previous year: from 2,374 to 2,520

Assistant Chief Constable Becky Riggs said: “Police forces across the county know the danger posed by harmful drugs and continue to work with local partners to stop those responsible and support those affected by addiction and exploitation.

“It’s pleasing to see that proactivity in this area is increasing and more positive outcomes are being achieved – which is only made possible through visible patrols, engagement with local communities and close partnership working with support agencies.

“We know that drug use is linked to violent offending and acquisitive crime. Those who test positive on police contact are referred to a specialist drug treatment programme to address their drug use and to break this cycle of offending. Work is also continuing as part of the local violence reduction alliance (VRA) to identify these root causes across important partners.”

“It’s crucial moving forward that we continue to work closely with all of the partners involved, including health, education and social care to help those affected by misuse and to continue targeting those supplying them."

To read more about our Op Target commitment, visit: Major operation to target serious organised crime launched | Staffordshire Police