Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jul 2008
Source: Hull Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd
Contact:  http://www.thisishull.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1181

HELP RESORT POLICE FIGHT DRUGS

WITHERNSEA'S senior police officer has urged residents to report 
drug-takers and dealers in the town.

Inspector Andy Woodhead wants residents to back police moves to crack 
down on drug problems in the resort.

The call follows talks held at Withernsea police station yesterday 
with Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart.

Mr Stuart met the town's new police inspector after residents in the 
Kirkfield Estate area raised drugs concerns in a survey conducted by the MP.

Some 575 residents responded to the MP's survey, in which 60 per cent 
of respondents raised issues of crime, drug abuse and anti-social 
behaviour in Withernsea.

Insp Woodhead said the police were keen to tackle the issues raised 
in the survey.

But he emphasised residents also had an important role to play, by 
alerting the police about drugs activity in their area.

He said: "I welcome the work that Graham Stuart has done on the 
survey and I want to use the results in conjunction with residents' 
intelligence on drug users to tackle drug supply in Withernsea.

"Residents can contact us at Withernsea police station if they have 
issues to raise or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously."

Mr Stuart welcomed the opportunity to present the survey findings to 
the inspector, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in the 
Withernsea area.

The MP said: "If we are to work together to make Withernsea a better 
place to live then collaborative working is essential, as is public 
participation.

"I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words and the 
local police require the public to report drug crimes and suspicions 
they may have."

Mr Stuart said that without intelligence about drugs activity, the 
police would be unable to take action.

He said: "The inspector has made it clear his aim is to ensure local 
policing in Withernsea delivers not only community engagement but 
more effective enforcement.

"There is a real appetite within the local police to eradicate drugs 
from the streets and I urge the police, residents and the town 
council to work together for the betterment of Withernsea."

Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 0845 6060 222 or 
anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom