It’s a Matter of Priority – week of action focuses on drugs harm

A twelve-week surge to tackle Northamptonshire Police’s four matters of priority begins today with the first week focusing on drug harm.

Led by Chief Inspector Nathan Murray, the week will encompass all types of activity to tackle drugs in Northamptonshire, including traditional enforcement operations, community engagement events, and the Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadets sharing videos on the dangers of the most common drugs.

In May, Chief Constable Nick Adderley announced the four crime types Northamptonshire Police will be focusing on over the next three years. They were - violence against women and girls, drug harm, serious and organised crime and serious violence.

Previously, priorities have changed on an annual basis, but the new approach will allow the Force to develop longer term strategies to tackle the most serious criminality and make the county an even more hostile place for offenders.

Chief Inspector Nathan Murray, said: “I am the first person to be leading a week of action during this twelve-week surge and over the next few months you can expect to see a lot of overt police activity tackling all four of the matters of priority.

“This week will focus on drug harm and will see a whole host of activity take place including warrants, various operations, community engagement events with our Force beat bus, an input from our Cadets, and a real focus on safeguarding as well.

“We know that illegal drugs destroy lives and this is one of the issues our communities have asked us to focus on because there is a clear connection between drug dealing and other crimes such as theft and violence.

“We understand the issues linked to drugs are complex and that’s why this week of action will showcase a holistic approach with safeguarding and grassroots work taking place as well as your more traditional enforcement.

“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to ask that any members of the public who may have information relating to drugs in their community, to contact us. Your community intelligence could be vital and will allow us to build up a bigger picture of what is going on in our County and where we need to focus our resources in the future.”