Scarborough Action as Part of National Drugs Operation

North Yorkshire Police arrested 14 people and made safeguarding visits to 38 vulnerable people during a week of action targeting county lines drug dealing.

The activity was part of a national “week of intensification” led by the National Crime Agency that saw police forces across the country work to bring down drug dealers and safeguard vulnerable people who are exploited by organised crime gangs. It ran from 11 to 17 October 2021.

Offices on patrol in Scarborough town centre on Monday 11 October, spotted a suspected drug deal taking place in the street. They stopped and searched the suspect, a 26-year-old man from Leeds, and recovered £4,000 in cash along with quantities of heroin and cocaine. He was later charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Elsewhere in the town, officers intercepted a vehicle on New Queen Street that they believed was connected to the supply of drugs. The driver failed a road-side drug test, testing positive for the presence of cocaine, and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving. He has been released pending the results of further tests.

Officers also carried out a warrant in the town on Monday 12 October, although no arrests were made, suspected prescription drugs were seized.

The Community Impact Team, comprising police officers, Scarborough Borough Council community safety officers,  North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, local school representatives, environmental health officers, housing officers and volunteers, carried out reassurance visits in the area including welfare checks on people either known or believed to be vulnerable to exploitation.

Detective Chief Inspector Lorraine Crossman-Smith who coordinated the week of activity in North Yorkshire, said:

“This week’s action gives a glimpse of the work that goes on the target county lines drug dealing all year round.

“Thanks to these national weeks of action, we are able to draw on additional resources such as our British Transport Police colleagues, the Regional Organised Crime Unit and local partner agencies to tackle what is a major priority for us.

“In addition to enforcement activity, a major focus for North Yorkshire Police is protecting vulnerable people who are drawn into the world of drug dealing. Whether young people who are forced to sell drugs on behalf gangs. Or those who are forced to let drug dealers use their homes as a base for selling drugs in a form of exploitation known as “cuckooing”.

“It requires support from a number of agencies including local authorities, community safety partnerships, housing providers, charities, health workers and drug rehabilitation services. My thanks go to all the agencies who supported the week and for their ongoing efforts throughout the year.”

North Yorkshire Police's schools liaison team also worked with children’s author, Christina Gabbitas to help children understand the dangers associated with getting involved with drugs and gangs. The teamed up with Christina to visit five schools to talk to the children about the 'No More Knives' campaign.

Activity has also focused on the county's transport network. Young people who have been groomed and exploited by drug dealers often travel long distances on public transport to deliver money and drugs. Officers engaged with transport providers including taxi and bus drivers to raise awareness of how to spot children who may have been exploited and are travelling to North Yorkshire to sell drugs.

They also patrolled railways stations with BTP colleagues where they engaged with rail passengers and were on the look-out for potential victims of trafficking, and drugs being transported into the county.

The advice from North Yorkshire Police on to to get help or make a report about suspected drug issues is:

• If you are in danger, always call the police on 999.
• If you are concerned that a friend or a young person you care for is being exploited or is involved in drug dealing, please call the police on 101.
• If you don’t want to speak to the police, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Or report information to Crimestoppers online anonymously