Officers say 'proactive policing' is behind increase in drug offences reported in Hartlepool

In total police recorded 160 incidents of drug offences for possession, up from 135 last year, while 61 incidents were recorded of offences of supplying drugs, up from 41

One of the priorities for the Hartlepool Community Safety Team for the coming year involves tackling drug and alcohol issues in the town.

This includes looking at the number of reports of drug offences, along with the numbers of residents accessing drug and alcohol treatment and support services.

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Between April and September this year figures showed there was a rise in drug offences recorded by police for both possession and supplying of substances, compared to the same period last year.

In total police recorded 160 incidents of drug offences for possession, up from 135 last year, while 61 incidents were recorded of offences of supplying drugs, up from 41.

Rachel Parker, Community Safety Team leader, said the increase comes due to ‘proactive policing’ to help tackle incidents.

She said: “The increase in drug offences recorded by the police is indicative of proactive policing.

“Responding to community intelligence a number of warrants were carried out during this period with positive results, particularly in respect of the identification and disruption of cannabis farms.”

Drug offences for supply and possession did see a slight decrease from July to September this year, compared to the period from April to June.

However council chiefs did report there has been a reduction in the number of individuals who successfully completed alcohol and drug treatment programmes compared to the previous year.

This also includes a slight reduction in the number of young people known to substance misuse services recorded between April and June this year, dropping to 33, from 44 last year.

Officers suggested the reductions could be as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However they added over the summer a new integrated drug and alcohol treatment service was launched in Hartlepool known as START – Supporting Treatment and Recovery Together, to help people reduce their level of dependency.

Ms Parker added: “The council’s public health team has identified that there has been a reduction in the number of individuals who successfully completed alcohol and drug treatment in this quarter when compared to the previous year.

“Colleagues do suggest that Covid-19 will have had an impact on these outcomes.

“During the summer a new integrated drug and alcohol treatment service has been launched to help people reduce their level of dependency and a key priority of the service is to reduce the harm to individuals, significant others, and the local community.”

Cllr Shane Moore, council leader, added it was positive to see people coming through the drug treatment programmes, and hopes they will be able to help more people in the months to come.

He said: “It’s good news on quarter one for those completing drug treatment programmes, that’s really reassuring and I’ll be keen to see how that looks during quarter two when those figures come out.”

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