Rat on a rat campaign steps up a level
This morning, (20/09/07) at 0700 a large scale dawn raid drug warrant operation took place within the Borough of Bridgend. Under the direction of the Rat on a Rat campaign, several houses within the Brackla, Caerau and Wildmill area were targeted and are still in the process of being targeted throughout the day. Doors were smashed down in this visible campaign and members of the public looked on as officers raided properties across the borough.
Out of nine properties targeted between the hours of 0700 and1300, six of those raids resulted in arrests and repossession of dangerous class A drugs including heroin and cocaine. This also resulted in four arrests for possession and drug trafficking offences. Several street warnings were also issued. Even though three of the properties raided were found not to have any drugs, the residents of the streets in each case approached officers and PCSO’s (police community support officers) to give more information and to confirm previous suspicions about the addresses.
It is obvious that the public are gaining confidence to speak out about the drug dealers in their area. Whilst the raids were taking place, ‘for sale’ type signs with the Rat on a Rat poster attached were hammered into the front garden of each raided property, so to create a high profile atmosphere. PCSO’s knocked on neighbouring doors armed with informational leaflets and explained what was being done in their area.
Rat on a Rat 2007 was launched at the beginning of September via a high profile poster and local press campaign. Posters have been placed throughout the Borough on buses, shops, public places and bars. The posters display a picture of a rat, and two sorts of class A drugs. The Crimestoppers number is also seen on all publicity, along with the slogan, ‘DRUG DEALERS RUIN LIVES’.
This year’s campaign is run by Bridgend Police and the Safer Bridgend Partnership. It specifically targets dealers in the community, who are responsible for the growing availability of Class A drugs such as Ecstasy, Cocaine, and Heroin.
It focuses on the drug dealers that operate in the community, and how they can be removed to disrupt the higher level of supply. The Rat on a Rat campaign encourages members of the public to pass on any information about dealers or drug related activity within their area by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in complete confidence.
So far the campaign has achieved very encouraging results, with 13 persons being arrested for drug related offences since the 1st of September. One arrest last weekend in Blaencaerau saw residents applauding and cheering officers out in the street as they arrested a local drug dealer.
Bridgend’s Divisional Commander Supt Tim Jones said, “Drug dealers are breaking down the fabric of our communities. They deliberately target the young and vulnerable in order to build and maintain their trade and are responsible for causing misery to many ordinary people who want to live in peace.”
He has vowed to make the borough an uncomfortable place for drug dealers, and there have already been several successes as a result of the campaign.
In 2002 and 2003, 173 people were arrested for drug related offences through the Rat on a Rat campaign in Swansea. This resulted in 202 drug seizures with a street value of £82,000.
These, and countless other successful raids, are as a direct result of anonymous information being passed to Crimestoppers and shows how effective this type of campaign can be.
Anyone with information about drug dealing is encouraged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For more information on getting help relating to drugs call DAN 24/7 on 0800 633 5588.