FOUR arrests have been made across Warrington as criminals linked to county line drug dealing have been targeted during a week of action across Cheshire.

Officers arrested 38 people across the region in total with the majority being on suspicion of drug offences as well as some being in possession of a knife and driving offence.

In Warrington, the following were arrested:

  • A 45-year-old man from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and has since been released under investigation
  • A 49-year-old man from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and has been released under investigation
  • A 37-year-old woman from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and has been released under investigation
  • A 28-year-old woman from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and has been released under investigation

A large number of drugs were also recovered – including 497 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, 17 cannabis deals, and almost 1kg of cocaine which was valued at around £69,000.

As well as this, £27,000 in cash has been seized.

Police also recovered 63 mobile phones, three vehicles, seven knives and eight other weapons including an air pistol and air rifle.

Twenty addresses were identified and visited by officers linked to cuckooing – a term used to describe how organised crime groups either befriend, manipulate or force themselves into the homes lived in by vulnerable people in order to use the property to store and sell heroin and crack cocaine.

At least 23 people were identified as being vulnerable and at risk of criminal exploitation by county line drug gangs.

Officers worked with local authorities and charities to provide specialist support and advice to safeguard them as well as visiting businesses and schools.

The week of action ran from Monday, October 3, to Sunday, October 9, and was part of a national focus coordinated by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

Detective inspector Amber Hodson said: “Protecting and preventing young children and vulnerable adults from organised crime gangs who go out of their way to exploit them continues to be one of our top priorities.

“We work closely with the local authority to educate, warn and inform young children, their parents and teachers by visiting schools to give talks and presentations of the signs to look out for and how to protect themselves.

“We also work with charities to identify and visit adults in our community who we think could be most vulnerable and a target for organised crime groups. We’re able to offer them the support they need and further prevent them from becoming a victim of exploitation.”

Detective inspector Hodson added: “I think the community are aware of how persistent we are in creating an atmosphere that is perceived as hostile to these criminals and the week of action was a snapshot of what officers across the country are doing on a daily basis.

“It’s important the public know that this good work can only continue if communities not only learn to understand the signs of activity linked to serious and organised crime but to come forward to report that information – no matter how small.

“Let us know when you think somebody is being exploited, when you think a house might have been taken over by drug dealers or when you get the feeling that something just isn’t quite right. Feed that information to us, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, and we will act on that.”

You can find all the signs you should be looking out for here https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/campaigns/campaigns/2019/impact/

If you believe drug activity is taking place in your community please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be provided by calling Cheshire Police on 101 or reporting via the website https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us

These are some signs that could mean a child or vulnerable adult might be a victim of criminal exploitation:

•             A child or young person going missing from school or home and travelling to market towns or rural areas

•             The use of drugs and alcohol

•             Having more money, new expensive clothes or accessories which they are unable to account for

•             Forming relationships and meeting with controlling or older people or groups

•             Carrying weapons

•             Increase in visitors or cars to a house or flat

•             People coming and going at odd times of the day and night

•             Strange smells coming from the property (illegal drugs)

•             Cars pulling up to or near the house for a short period of time