Tackling Drugs Action Week

The week kicked off with 6 individuals being arrested for a variety of offences on Monday 8th. This included a 23 year old male who was arrested and later charged for possession of cannabis in Beach Road in Pyle, and a 44 year old male who was arrested for possession of cocaine. An 18 year old male was also arrested in Maesteg for possession of valium. He was later bailed pending further enquiries.

On Tuesday, the Maesteg Neighbourhood Support Team executed a search warrant following community intelligence in the Picton Street area of Nantyfyllon. Eight 5ft cannabis plants were recovered by officers and a 44 year old male was subsequently arrested and cautioned for the cultivation of cannabis.

Wednesday saw the Bridgend Drugs Team and Roads Policing Unit seize half a kilogramme of heroin with a street value of £70,000 shortly before 7pm. The 48 year old male driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. He has been remanded in custody by Bridgend magistrates to appear on Wednesday June 17th.

One 21 year old female was also arrested in Bridgend town centre and charged for possession of cannabis following a high profile CCTV operation. During the operation, a further 12 people were stopped and searched but no illegal substances were found.

A 30 year old male was arrested in Litchard and charged for possession with intent to supply heroin on Thursday 11th after being caught by police carrying 12 silver foil wraps of heroin.

Then on Friday 12th, a community intelligence-led drugs warrant executed in Wildmill resulted in two men aged 30 and 39, and one woman aged 33, being arrested for possession with intent to supply after officers recovered 1000 ecstasy tablets and 800 blue valium tablets from a property. The trio are currently on bail.

Tackling Drugs Action Week has also seen the Safer Bridgend Community Partnership focus on the prevention of drug-related crime in the borough, as well as providing training and information for the public.

Police School Liaison Officers have delivered over 20 lessons about drug and alcohol misuse to young people of all ages across the borough. Reception classes were told ‘don’t touch but tell’ if they come across drugs, whereas juniors in primary schools learned about the difference between legal and illegal drugs. Older pupils in borough comprehensives were taught about the classes and legalities involved with drugs, as well as the health and legal consequences.

Claire Fauvel, Substance Misuse Training and Prevention Coordinator for the National Public Health Service for Wales also offered a different type of lesson in the Hope Baptist Church in Bridgend. 12 street pastors took part in a 3-hour training session where they looked at the impact substance misuse can have on the health and well being of people enjoying Bridgend’s night time economy. Details of local sources of help were also distributed.

Claire Fauvel said: “In the borough, there are agencies that can help anyone experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol. For adults there is firstly your local GP, but the Bridgend Assessment Service also offer specialist help. The service can be contacted directly on 01656 754300.”

“Ogwr Dash based on Nolton Street in Bridgend, and WGCADA based on Court Road, can also offer advice, support, and counselling. They both include a young person’s service and can also refer the public to other agencies if required.”

“Finally there is also the DAN 24/7 helpline. This is a free 24 hour bilingual helpline for anyone in Wales looking for information, advice or support about drug and alcohol use.”

Outreach workers from Ogwr Dash did rubbish clean ups around Bridgend on Friday, so that any drugs paraphernalia found could be safely collected and disposed of. The Action Week was also an opportunity for young people working with the Youth Offending Service to complete reparation activities. Young people wrote stories based on their personal experiences, and highlighted how drugs negatively affect lives. The informative articles are now being displayed in the reception area of the YOS building to help others.

Police Acting Chief Inspector Edward Ough said: “The activities undertaken by the police and the Safer Bridgend Community Partnership during Tackling Drugs Action Week have produced some fantastic results. Through partnership work we will continue to combine tough enforcement with crime prevention activities, and raise awareness of treatment available so that everyone who visits, works or lives in the borough can enjoy a safer environment.”

Ogwr Dash can be contacted on 01656 650686, and WGCADA can be reached on 01656 667717. The helpline number for DAN 24/7 is 0800 6 33 55 88.

If you have any information on drug-related crime, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.