Thirty eight suspects were arrested in a bid to smash county lines drugs gangs operating across Cheshire. Drugs, guns, knives, mobile phones and cash were seized.
Twenty addresses identified as being linked to cuckooing - where criminals take over homes lived in by vulnerable people to stash or sell heroin and crack cocaine were raided. At least 23 people were identified as being vulnerable and at risk of criminal exploitation by county line drug gangs. Officers worked with local authorities and charities to provide specialist support and advice to safeguard them.
A large number of drugs were recovered including 497 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, 17 cannabis deals, almost 1kg of cocaine valued at £69,000 as well as £27,000 in cash. Police also recovered 63 mobile phones, three vehicles, seven knives and eight other weapons including an air pistol and air rifle.
Local officers engaged with businesses including taxi companies, estate agents and community centres providing them with information packs about what county lines is and how to spot signs of vulnerability and criminality and report it to police.
Both primary and secondary schools received visits from officers to educate pupils and teachers on how organised crime gangs recruit youngsters to deal drugs on their behalf and the signs they should look out for.
The week of action ran from Monday 3 October to Sunday 9 October and was part of a national focus co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs Council.
Detective Inspector Hodson added: “I think the community are aware of how persistent we are in creating an atmosphere that is perceived as hostile to these criminals and the week of action was a snapshot of what officers across the country are doing on a daily basis.
“It’s important the public know that this good work can only continue if communities not only learn to understand the signs of activity linked to serious and organised crime but to come forward to report that information – no matter how small.
“Let us know when you think somebody is being exploited, when you think a house might have been taken over by drug dealers or when you get the feeling that something just isn’t quite right. Feed that information to us, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, and we will act on that.”
"Protecting and preventing young children and vulnerable adults from organised crime gangs who go out of their way to exploit them continues to be one of our top priorities. We work closely with the local authority to educate, warn, and inform young children, their parents and teachers by visiting schools to give talks about the signs to look out for and how to protect themselves."
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer said: “This week of action demonstrates the commitment to making Cheshire a hostile environment for criminals and is an example of the fantastic work done by Cheshire Constabulary to disrupt and dismantle serious organised crime groups. My thanks go to every officer involved for their dedication and hard work.
“The work that the Constabulary has done around educating young people on how organised crime groups recruit youngsters to commit crime on their behalf, should also be commended. A priority that is highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan is to protect vulnerable and at-risk people, with children and young people being some of the most vulnerable in society it is so important to educate them on the signs to look out for and how to stay safe.”
You can find all the signs you should be looking out for here https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/campaigns/campaigns/2019/impact/
If you believe drug activity is taking place in your community please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
