Bexley takes part in pan London operation
24 September 2012
Cannabis with a street value of more than £2,600,000 was seized across London yesterday (20 September 2012) and more than 350 arrests made as up to 2,000 officers took part in a major new offensive against drug related crime.
In Bexley two cannabis factories were closed (a total of 37 across London), 115 cannabis plants were seized, along with a BB gun and cash totalling £24,000, under Operation Hawk.
"You make the call, we'll make it stop."
As part of the day of action, led by Safer Neighbourhoods officers, 14 search warrants were executed in Bexley as the MPS targeted cannabis farms, crack houses and suspected drug dealers at residential and business premises across the capital.
It follows a renewed call to the public last week to encourage them to come forward with information about who may be selling or cultivating drugs in their area.
Results from Bexley also include: 10 arrests from executed warrants, seizure of 75 bags of ketemine, 50 bags of cannabis, a block of cannabis and equipment to cultivate the drug. Two offenders, wanted for drug related violent crimes, were arrested. An ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) operation in Erith led to the arrest of three people suspected of driving a vehicle stolen in a burglary and two vehicles were seized. At Abbey Wood Station British Transport Police arrested two suspects for possession with intent to supply after finding seven wraps of what is believed to be Class A drugs and three bags of cannabis. BTP officers also issued one warning for possession of drugs.
Other activities included working with our partners to challenge the sale of ‘legal highs’ and drug education and presentations in schools.
Safer Neighbourhoods officers were supported by colleagues from other units including Special Constables, the specialist dogs command and traffic department.
While activity to tackle drug dealing has always been a high priority for the MPS, with major operations carried out with partners against high-level dealers on a regular basis, Operation Hawk is being refocused to increase operational activity on drug dealing at the street level.
Police in Bexley are also responding to concerns from local communities, many of whom cite tackling ‘drugs’ as a priority for Safer Neighbourhoods teams. Moving forward, local officers will continue to pursue relentlessly drug related crime on a daily basis. As information about local drug dealing comes in, officers will seek to verify it and take appropriate action as quickly as possible. This could include going to court to apply for a search warrant, circulating a suspect as wanted or increasing patrols in particular areas. When action has been taken police will inform local communities what has been done to help rid communities of drug dealing.
Bexley Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa said: “This day of action saw us tackling street level drug dealing and associated crime head on. Be assured that we will bring together our resources to reclaim and help repair areas affected by drug dealing. To help us do this we need communities to talk to us and report concerns. We will use community intelligence to deliver swift results and tell people what action we have taken.”
Several suspects have now been identified and are actively being sought in connection with the search warrants executed yesterday.
Safer Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Ian Broadbridge who led yesterday’s operation said, “With your help we can make your local neighbourhood safer - you make the call, we’ll make it stop. If you have any information about who is selling drugs get in touch. Information will always be carefully assessed and acted on as quickly as possible. Afterwards, we will tell you what action we have taken. Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.”
- Safer Neighbourhoods officers with seized cannabis SNT officers on Op Hawk
- Chief Inspector Ian Broadbridge with SNT officers Bexley Op Hawk lead Chief Inspector Ian Broadbridge