Government unveils once-in-a-generation drive to crush drug crime
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Massive investment to crack down on drugs and dismantle 2,000 more
county lines will be set out today in a first-of-its-kind plan to
stamp out the scourge of drug crime and the violence it brings to
our streets – building on the Government’s progress in driving down
crime and delivering safer streets for all. £300 million will be
invested in pursuing and closing down the ruthless gangs who
exploit and threaten our most vulnerable in society for financial
gain through the...Request free trial
Massive investment to crack down on drugs and dismantle 2,000 more county lines will be set out today in a first-of-its-kind plan to stamp out the scourge of drug crime and the violence it brings to our streets – building on the Government’s progress in driving down crime and delivering safer streets for all. £300 million will be invested in pursuing and closing down the ruthless gangs who exploit and threaten our most vulnerable in society for financial gain through the illegal drugs trade. The commitment is part of the Government’s 10-year Drugs Strategy published today (Monday 6 December) to tackle both the supply and demand for narcotics. It will also see the Government commit to the largest ever single increase in investment in treatment and recovery. The Strategy will build on the significant gains the Government has made in reducing crime and providing more police, safer communities and a better service for victims. Overall crime (excluding fraud and computer misuse) has fallen by 14% over the last two years, and an additional 11,053 police officers have already been recruited thanks to a government campaign. We have also taken action to remove thousands of weapons from the streets, zone in on serious violence and homicide hotspots, and fund crime prevention measures so everyone feels safer in public spaces. However, we know that the most deprived areas of the country continue to be those with the highest levels of drug driven crime. Evidence also shows that there are more than 300,000 heroin and crack addicts in England who, between them, are responsible for nearly half of acquisitive crime, which includes burglaries, robberies and shop thefts, and drugs drive nearly half of all homicides. Whole communities experience the misery caused by this minority, which comes with a cost to society, in England alone, of nearly £20billion a year. The measures set out in the strategy will bolster work by law enforcement officers to tackle drugs and build on the successful County Lines Programme which has already closed 1,500 lines, made over 7,400 arrests and safeguarded more than 4,000 vulnerable adults and children. The measures set out in the strategy will bolster work by law enforcement officers to tackle drugs and build on the successful County Lines Programme which has already closed 1,500 lines, made over 7,400 arrests and safeguarded more than 4,000 vulnerable adults and children. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Drugs are a scourge on our society, fuelling violence on our streets which communities across the country are forced to endure. That’s why, to cut crime and truly level up across the country, we must step up efforts to wipe out the vile county lines gangs who are blighting our neighbourhoods, exploiting children and ruining lives. “Backed by record investment, the strategy we’re setting out today will attack supply and break the county lines model which sees criminals profit from people’s misery. Those who break the law will have nowhere to hide.” Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Crimes including theft, burglary and knife crime are falling, there are an additional 11,053 police officers on our streets, and by working with our outstanding police and law enforcement agencies, we have closed 1,500 drugs lines. “But it is clear that the drugs trade is still driving so much crime – we must do more to prevent these ruthless gangs ruining lives, tearing apart communities and exploiting young people. “This Strategy will help to relentlessly pursue the kingpins behind these supply lines, making our streets safer.” To stamp out the scourge of drug crime, over the next three years the Government will:
Chris Farrimond, Director of Threat leadership at the National Crime Agency said: “Illegal drugs have a catastrophic impact on our communities. They destroy lives, have a corrosive effect on the environment and erode the UK’s economy.The NCA works closely with partners across the system to tackle the most harmful organised crime groups responsible for the trafficking of class A drugs to the UK. So far this year, over 120 tonnes of cocaine have been seized as a result of NCA activity. We have more than 300 ongoing investigations, both at home and abroad, specifically focusing on class A drugs. “We have worked with Government partners on the ten year drugs strategy and will continue to suppress the dynamic drugs market, taking out of circulation those exploitative, violent and connected individuals and crime groups intent on causing harm to our communities”. National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for County Lines, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, said: "County lines drug dealing is linked to the most serious violence and abuse of vulnerable young people, and we are committed to doing everything we can to bring these criminals to justice. "Additional funding will support police in stopping these abhorrent criminals, protect young people and protect our communities from the misery caused by county lines." The Government will also publish a White Paper in due course which will look at new measures to reduce demand and deter people from illegal drug use through more meaningful consequences. The Government is already delivering on its promise to make our streets safer by:
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