Drugs hotline spreads net (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Drugs hotline spreads net

THE Evening Advertiser-backed Swindon Drugs Hotline has been so successful in catching dealers that it has been extended to Wootton Bassett.

Sgt Andy Fortune from Wootton Bassett police says that his officers rely on information from the public and welcomed the move.

His officers recover small quantities of drugs such as cannabis but need information on who is supplying it.

There were reports this week of teen-agers dealing in illegal substances.

Sgt Fortune said: "We know where youngsters take drugs the Wootton Bassett School is not too far from the police station and we know deals take place near the school.

"We do regular stops and searches but these are not immediately outside the school gates.

"We do have a drugs problem to a degree but it is certainly not out of control, he said.

"There is no evidence that the drugs problem in Wootton Bassett is worse than anywhere else in the county.

Last year, the police dealt with 27 drug related offences in the town, two thirds of which were specifically to do with the possession, cultivation or supply of drugs.

And in December a 13-year-old Wootton Bassett girl was cautioned for possession with intent to supply.

Sgt Fortune added: "Unless there is additional paraphernalia in a house, like scales, bags, and lots of money, we can't prove someone is dealing.

"The key is information from the community, if people suspect someone is a dealer then I would urge them to tell us or ring the hotline."

In June last year the Evening Advertiser launched its Swindon Drugs Hotline in partnership with Swindon police, which is part of the Wiltshire Constabulary's D division.

Wootton Bassett police, which comes under C division, will be passed any information that is given through the hotline.

To date Swindon police have received more than 200 calls.

Det Sgt Gerry Watkins, who heads the Swindon police intelligence unit, said: "Anything that is going to stop the trade in drugs is good. Any information we receive through the hotline will be passed onto the officers in Wootton Bassett.

The Swindon Drugs Hotline allows callers to leave confidential information about drug dealers in their community.

Officers need names, addresses, car registration numbers and other intelligence to identity dealers. Call 01793 528800 with information.

The hotline's successes include:

A tip-off led to three of Swindon's heroin and crack dealers being jailed on February 2.

A heroin dealer was caught during a raid after a hotline caller gave information. He was sent to a young offenders' institution in August last year for 30 months and the drugs were destroyed.

Information from the hotline led to the driver of a drug dealer being sentenced to 200 hours community service in July last year.

bvadde@newswilts.co.uk