Reassurance for ‘dependent service users’ after key drug arrests

Police have described the arrest of five suspected drug dealers in Wrexham as an opportunity to help steer people away from their links with criminals and turn their lives around.

‘Operation Loot’ aims to disrupt the supply of Class A drugs in the area.

As part of the operation, officers yesterday struck at addresses in the Caia Park area – resulting in five men being arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

Following yesterday’s raids “reassurance patrols” will be carried out in the Caia Park area.

North Wales Police have also teamed up with the council and support groups in a bid to use the disruption to organised crime as a way of encouraging dependent service users to engage with agencies which can help them come off drugs and improve their health and well-being and future prospects.

CI Mark Williams said officers realise that yesterday’s action will “have an impact on the victims of the criminals who sell drugs in the area.”

He added: We want to encourage them to make use of the support services on offer, including those at the Friday (today) drop in sessions at the Salvation Army Centre in Rhosddu, to turn their lives around for the better and to break their link with criminals who blight the community.

“There will be reassurance patrols in Caia Park and we want residents and anyone with information to engage with officers.

“We will have a police mobile unit on Whitegate Industrial Estate offering crime prevention advice and we will be working with partners as they conduct efforts to remove graffiti, discarded household items and generally tidy up public spaces.

“This partnership initiative will help empower the local community to become more resilient.”

Temp/Assistant Chief Constable Neill Anderson said: “We are determined to bring to justice those who commit most harm to our communities.

“Operation Loot is a concerted attempt not only to take drug dealers out of circulation, but to offer a wraparound service to their victims and the wider community who are fed up with the criminality on their doorstep.

“I would like to thank the community for their support and would encourage them to keep giving us the information we need to bring the offenders before the courts.”

The Department of Work and Pensions, the Association of Voluntary Organisations Wrexham (Avow), local drugs charity Cais and outreach teams are also involved in the drive to transform the area and improve people lives.

A programme of events listed above will begin today and will continue through into next week.