August 10, 2018 9.08 am This story is over 67 months old

Lincoln drugs raids lead to 15 arrests

“Officers will have a more visible presence in the city centre”

Police conducted five days of targeted raids in Lincoln, arresting 15 suspected drug dealers.

Officers swooped on addresses in the city as part of a crackdown on drug crime following widespread media appeals and complaints from members of the public.

Four men arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply have been released under investigation, pending laboratory test results.

Further arrests were made on suspicion of conspiring to supply, suspicion of being concerned in supply, and suspicion of possession.

Chief Superintendent Nikki Mayo said: “This enforcement action followed a huge amount of work over several months which has been specifically targeted at those who deal drugs in Lincoln.

“The number of arrests we have made demonstrates how seriously we are taking the issue and we continue to be committed to working with our partners to tackle this moving forwards.

“Officers will have a more visible presence in the city centre.

“While we continue to target those who supply drugs, it is also vital that we work closely alongside other agencies to ensure those using these substances can access the help and support that they need.”

Simon Walters, Director for Communities and Environment at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “This is another example of the effective partnership work that is now taking place to make the city centre a safe and welcoming place to be.

“Cutting off supply is a vital part of the solution, but it will only succeed in the long-term if it is run alongside further action to help those with a drugs problem get the help they need to move away from drugs dependency.

Police arrested 15 people over five days

“Our City Centre Intervention Team will launch this autumn, bringing with it a new approach that will tackle drugs and antisocial behaviour by concentrating on both prevention and enforcement.”

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones added: “As a father and a son I know from personal experience how people feel threatened by drug dealing and drug taking on the streets – and this action makes clear that our community will not be expected to put up with it.

“While I welcome and support this long planned and well executed operation and the many others that are carried out regularly across the county, I also know enforcement action alone cannot solve this problem.

“The fact is many of the people on our streets are themselves victims with complex problems and needs. Being homeless, a drug addict, suffering mental health problems or indeed all three together won’t be solved by police officers.”

By the end of July, Lincolnshire Police had made 139 drug-related arrests in the city centre this year.

Anyone with information about drugs – possession, production or supply – should call Lincolnshire Police on 101.