Action to support local communities after major police operation tackling drug supply
A police operation to support a Wrexham community following a number of arrests linked to drug supply has launched.
‘Operation Vardo’ is a multi-agency approach that will see officers and partners out in the Cefn Mawr and surrounding areas engaging and building trust with residents and the community to protect and regenerate the area affected by crime.
It comes following Operation Lardy, which saw more than 100 officers target a suspected local organised crime group (OCG), believed to be supplying drugs in the locality.
The six-month protracted covert investigation into a suspected Class A and Class B drugs conspiracy resulted in 20 arrests over three days last week, including three at Manchester Airport.
Over 20 properties, including a canal barge, were targeted in areas including Cefn Mawr, Rhos, Acrefair, Chirk, Plas Madoc, Southsea, Penycae, Ruabon, Deeside, and Manchester.
Following last week’s arrests officer will this week carry out targeted visible activity and increased patrols, as well as covert policing tactics to hold the location, in order to prevent further organised crime groups taking control in the vacuum.
As part of Operation Vardo, officers will also be working with residents and partners, including substance misuse, housing, social services, the local authority, charities, homeless prevention and many more to build the community into an area where people feel safe to live, work and visit, and an area less susceptible to being exploited by organised crime groups.
Inspector Matt Subacchi said: “Implementing this holistic approach will make it more difficult for organised crime groups to operate in the area.
“It will disrupt activity and will help to protect those living, visiting and working in Cefn Mawr. It will also assist those vulnerable to manipulation by organise crime groups.
“By working together and listening to residents’ needs, it is hoped Op Vardo will allow residents to reclaim their communities, build long-term resilience against organised crime groups and help prevent future threats.
“The aim is also to protect those that need protecting, safeguard those who are considered to be vulnerable, and offer support to the community.
“Officers and partners will be on hand to provide advice and services, in particular to those in need of assistance who may struggle to access help – some might need support with substance misuse, the cost of living, or the ability to prevent other types of crime from happening.
“We’ll be based at a pop-up mobile police station in a central location within the community every day to engage with residents around crime prevention and provide reassurance where needed.
“As part of Operation Vardo, I want to make sure residents and those living in the community have a good relationship with the police, so we can make the place a safer place to be.
“It is all about safeguarding, a wraparound service, but building good solid relationships, not just for today, but for tomorrow with our community.”
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