Blackpool Police tackle drug dealing in plain-clothed operation
Friday, July 26, 2024
On Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th July 2024, officers from Blackpool Neighbourhood Teams ran covert operations over two days of action targeting drug dealing.
Officers were deployed in plain-clothes to the Palatine Road, Reads Avenue, Lytham Road, Foxhall Square, Waterloo Road, and Osbourne Road areas of Blackpool, supported by PCSOs. These locations were chosen due to intelligence given by the community from the Lancashire Talking survey, and concerns raised in the StreetSafe survey.
The aim of the operation was to tackle drug dealing and take positive action.
Two men, age 20 and 33, from West Yorkshire, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering after they were found in possession of just over £2,000 in cash between them. Four mobile phones and a car were also seized. They have both since been released on bail.
A man and a woman, age 42 and 30, from Blackpool, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after officers found them in possession of a large quantity of white powder, cash, and mobile phones. They are currently in custody.
Other results include:
- 14 stop searches
- 3 car searches
- drugs seized including cannabis and heroin
- community protection warning issued
- fixed penalty issued for a vehicle going through a red light
Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton said: "As Neighbourhood Chief Inspector for Blackpool and Flyde I intend to use all tactics available to me to tackle what matters most to our communities, including ASB and violent crime.
"Each victim of crime is one too many and has a huge impact peoples quality of life.
"These days of action will continue across the Blackpool and Fylde area utilising uniformed and plain clothed officers and I ask members of the public to support and engage with my staff when they are on patrol."
Sergeant Paul Regan said: “This operation was conducted as a result of what the public have been telling us.
“We visited the exact locations that have been reported to us as a concern and tackled the issues that were being raised, which was drug dealing.
“Anyone with any concerns can let us know by taking our Lancashire Talking survey. The survey allows you to tell us what it’s like to live in your area, and raise what you want us to look into. If you don’t tell us, we won’t know.
“We will continue with covert operations in the future. You never know when you’ll be in the presence of a plain-clothed police officer.”
You can report to police by calling 101 or reporting online. You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
