PCC delighted with successful results from the ‘South West is no place for drugs’ disruptions.
The sixth phase of a regional crackdown on drugs has resulted in more than 60 vulnerable adults and children being safeguarded and almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of drugs removed from our South West streets.
This cross-border disruption is part of a collaborative agreement between all the five South West police service areas.
During the week of Monday the 9th of October to Sunday the 15th of October, Avon and Somerset Police conducted numerous warrants and enforcement activities. While local neighbourhood police teams carried out welfare checks on vulnerable children and young adults and engaged with schools and communities on the realities and signs of exploitation.
These combined activities resulted in:
- £236,000 of drugs seized,
- £44,000 in cash seized.
- 21 arrests made.
- 9 adults and children safeguarded.
- Cannabis to the value of £155,200
- Cocaine to the value of £76,800
- Heroin to the value of £4,000.
All five police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and independent charity, CrimeStoppers worked collaboratively to raise awareness of county lines among residents and individuals, whilst disrupting the drug criminal’s activity. The South West regions include:
- Avon and Somerset
- Devon and Cornwall
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- Wiltshire
PCC attends local patrol
As part of the operation, on Friday October 13th, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Shelford joined two neighbourhood police patrols in the heart of Stokes Croft and St Pauls, in Bristol.
The patrol started in Stocks Croft, making a planned stop at the Jamaica Street Hostel. The patrol then moved further down Jamaica street into Elim Church, where it is understood Hubert Brown was a congregation member.
Hubert Brown, (61), was fatally injured in what is believed to have been a race hate crime attack. Police have charged a 36-year-old female in connection with his tragic death. A plea and trial preparation hearing has been fixed for October 30th.
The patrol then moved onto Grosvenor Road in St Pauls, where Brown and another devastating fatality recently occurred. Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, was only 19 years old when he tragically stabbed and subsequently died from his injuries. Police continue to appeal for the public’s help to find his killers.
Over 500 investigative actions have been carried out and hundreds of CCTV hours have been collated and are being reviewed. 40 officers and police staff from the Major Crime Investigation Team have carried out enquiries and spoken to more than 50 potential witnesses. If you have information relating to this murder, please call the police on 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5223175298.
The patrol concluded at the St Paul’s Learning Centre, known to be the hub of the community.
This patrol provided the PCC with a first-hand experience of how officers engage with their local community and had the opportunity to listen to residents’ concerns.
“The five South West PCCs and police services send a clear message to those involved in illegal drug crimes: the South West is no a place for drugs.
“Our recent collaborative effort to raise awareness among our communities and disrupt those responsible for drug crime across our force areas has produced some excellent results.
“Avon and Somerset Police worked tirelessly to engage the local community, educating them about the realities of county lines and disrupting the activities of many criminals who facilitate illegal drug crimes.
”I had the pleasure of participating in two police patrols, which included visiting the Jamaica Street Hostel, Elim church, walking Grosvenor Road and finishing at the St Pauls Learning Centre.”
PCC Mark Shelford
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