Arrest made in drugs raid (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Arrest made in drugs raid

8:23am Wednesday 21st February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

A woman suspected of using drugs has been arrested thanks to calls to the Swindon Drugs Hotline.

Police raided a home in Axbridge Close, Park North, just before noon yesterday.

Officers found Class A drugs believed to be heroin and drug paraphernalia.

The garden of the house, which was rundown, was littered with needles thrown on the ground next to children's toys.

PC James Neighbour, of the Swindon crime targeting team, said that the arrest was a good result for the drugs hotline.

"The search was done on the basis of information received from residents concerned about what was going on in their street," he said.

"It was like something out of Starsky and Hutch with everyone pulling up and jumping out."

A neighbour

"We have had people ringing up the drugs hotline and the action was based on that."

The line was re-launched last August following Swindon police's move from the town centre to Gablecross.

PC Neighbour said: "We monitor the hotline every day and we have had numerous people ringing in regards to this woman and other individuals in the town.

"On this occasion we had residents phoning up and this shows we will act on it."

The hotline was launched with a warning from police that if drug dealing is going on in your area you are more likely to be a victim of crime.

Police say that if anyone needs an incentive to report a dealer or drug user then the fact that it is for their own protection should be enough.

PC Neighbour said: "We are going to keep the battle against Class A drug supply and use at the forefront of our activities.

"This is just part of an ongoing operation and we will continue doing it."

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said that there were often needles left lying around near the house.

"It's disgusting," she said."I'm glad the police have done something about it but that house is not the only one where there are problems here."

Another woman, who witnessed yesterday's raid, said: "It was like something out of Starsky and Hutch with everyone pulling up and jumping out.

"The woman has got a problem and she needs help."