Police launch drugs crackdown
Police forces in England and Wales are launching a major operation to crackdown on class A drugs.
Operation Crackdown is a three-month campaign, co-ordinated by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, targeting local class A drug markets through the country.
Thirty-two police forces will be focusing on closing drug dens, disrupting local drug markets, seizing illegal firearms and bringing dealers to justice.
The Conservatives dismissed the crackdown as “just more Labour talk” and flagged up a bill being brought forward by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans to toughen jail sentences for dealers in class A drugs.
Home Office Minister, Caroline Flint, said the Government was determined to do everything it could to tackle harm caused by drugs.
“Operation Crackdown sends a clear message to drug dealers that their behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities and that they will be brought to justice and face harsh penalties,” she said.
Throughout the campaign local police forces will work with local authorities, treatment workers and drug action teams.
Forces will also focus on seizing illegal firearms, possibly using stop and search operations to reduce the number of weapons on the streets.
But Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the only significant policy on drugs Labour has had since 1997 was to declassify cannabis.
“Drugs are dangerous, they destroy lives and they render all our efforts to cut crime worthless. We need tough action to get a grip on the problem instead of just more Labour short-term gimmicks and initiatives.”
The Private Members Bill being brought forward by Nigel Evans, vice chairman of the Conservative Party, would mean a mandatory seven-year jail sentence if a dealer is caught selling class A drugs for the third time, while adults convicted of selling class A drugs for minor profit would receive a custodial sentence.
The bill would also establish an independent commission to look into the effects of cannabis and aim to clear up confusion over how to treat the drug.
He said: “This bill will be tough on pushers of drugs and will help bring an end to the spiral of misery that their trade causes. Our children must be protected in legislation from such evil. I look forward to presenting this bill to Parliament and urge the Government to support it.”
