Plymouth flats raided in dramatic scenes

Police in Devonport have moved to target properties which have caused problems for neighbors due to suspected drug use.

On the morning of Thursday, June 13, officers executed warrants at two flats in Devonport, Plymouth, responding to reports of noise, violence and anti-social behavior in the block.

The briefing with officers from Devonport Police Station and Charles Cross Police Station began with information received from members of the public. Local knowledge from officers familiar with the location was discussed and a plan of the flat and the expected condition of the rooms – as well as the expected presence of a dog – were shared.

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Speaking to the team at the briefing, Devonport Sector Inspector Inspector Paul Laity emphasized the importance of the information received from residents of the flats, saying that more than anything, the mandate was to give residents “respite from the behavior they have endured . “.

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell accompanied Inspector Laity and his teams on the warrants. While some officers took up positions at the side of the property – in case anything was thrown from the windows of the apartments targeted – and at the back of the building in case anyone tried to flee the scene before to be heard.

Force Support Group officers wearing protective gear forced their way into the properties using power saws and battering rams – often referred to as the “Big Red Keys”. The occupants of the properties were quickly located and the areas searched.

A police spokesman said “no significant quantities of drugs were found and no arrests were made” but that “drug paraphernalia was found”.

Insp Laity said: “We will be working in partnership with colleagues from the Local Authority and the housing association to apply for a closure order on the premises under ASB legislation.”

As the Chief Constable and the lay inspector left the flats, a number of residents left their properties to speak to the officers, thanking them for attending and welcoming the police action.

Insp Laity added: “Word of our presence will spread like a wave and we will see a reduction in drug dealing and anti-social behavior for some time. These warrants see a longer and greater disruption effect than in the day and at the addresses where they are carried. out at.”

Chief Constable Colwell said: “With a combination of local disruption like today, working alongside other forces and the Regional Organized Crime Unit, Devon and Cornwall Police remain fully committed to reducing the blight that drug abuse brings to our communities and bring to justice those who would profit from the sale of illegal drugs at the expense of the safety and peace of mind of law-abiding people.”

Both the chief constable and the local inspector stressed that such police operations relied heavily on information provided by the public.

Inspector Laity said: “Please keep talking to the police and passing on information – no matter how small the information may seem, your information helps us disrupt drug activity and anti-social behaviour.”

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “People tell me they are fed up with drug dealing in their communities and fed up with the effect it has on crime and disorder, that’s why we worked with four other South West commissioners and our respective forces to launch Operation Scorpion two years ago.

“We want people to know that we stand with them, that we’ve heard them, and that we will focus relentlessly on illegal drugs as we strive to build safer communities where people can succeed and thrive.”

If you have information about drug dealing or other activity where you live, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/intelligence or by calling 101. The information and identity of anyone reporting information to Devon & Cornwall Police is protected but if you don’t feel comfortable speaking directly to the police you can report anything anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also report via the StreetSafe app for iPhone or Android https://www.police.uk/streetsafe

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