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Public are vital to police drugs success

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By Fiona Reid
Dumfries and West

A TOTAL of 24 people have been charged with drug offences - as a result of search warrants issued in Dumfries since May.

Police Scotland are hailing the recovery of drugs worth £5000 thanks to the execution of 16 Misuse of Drugs Search Warrants.

Sgt Graeme Stitt from Nithsdale Community Policing Team said: “All of the warrants that have been granted are as a direct result of information provided to us from the public.

“Over the past few months we have executed a number of search warrants in and around Dumfries.

“This has led to a number of people being charged – nine have been reported for drug supply, 12 for possession of illegal drugs, two for cannabis cultivation, and one for obstructing police during a search.”

The success is being attributed to addressing concerns which have emerged from within communities.
Sgt Stitt said: “Police rely heavily on the help from local communities in order get sufficient intelligence to allow us to apply for warrants.

“Much of the information that helped us over the past few months has come as a direct result of our community officers being out and about, visible, and approachable in their beat areas.”

Community Policing Inspector for Dumfriesshire Gordon McKnight says that community policing is ‘not just about visibility and engagement’ but about ‘addressing genuine concerns within our communities’.

Insp McKnight said: “We receive a lot of complaints about drug dealing activity which impacts significantly on families and communities in our area.

“Our dedicated community police officers will act upon information we receive and target those that chose to deal drugs.

“However we heavily rely on people coming forward with current information about such illegal activity.”

He added: “If you have any doubt about whether or not we will take action, then look at what my team have achieved over the last few months.

“This is not a short-term initiative we will continue to deal with drug dealing activity and address concerns within our communities.”

Anyone with information regarding drug activity can contact Police Scotland on the non-emergency 101 number, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, Nithsdale Community Policing Team on [email protected] or can inform their local community police officer.