A highly successful campaign to get drug dealers off Scotland’s streets has entered its next phase.
15th
September 2006
Drug
Dealers Don't Care
A highly successful campaign to get drug dealers off Scotland’s streets
has entered its next phase.
The
campaign – paid entirely from assets seized from criminals – is designed to
encourage the public to give information anonymously to Crimestoppers Scotland
(0800 555 111) about drug dealers operating in their area. This information is then passed to the police to enable them
to build up sufficient intelligence to arrest these individuals and stop their
evil trade.
Deputy
Justice Minister Hugh Henry was in Greenock today to launch the campaign in that
area, which will also be running in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, North
Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Hugh
Henry said:
“Drugs
devastate families and communities. This campaign – which last year resulted
in a substantial number of arrests and seizures of drugs and money – enables
those local communities who are worried about dealers operating in their area,
to give information anonymously to help put them behind bars.
“The
campaign also sends a clear message to the dealers that they cannot continue to
live it up on the proceeds of their ill-gotten gains and get away with it.
Instead, we are determined to support communities, working in partnership with
the police, in turning the tide against the dealers. Once caught they will not
only be facing prison but also could be stripped of the proceeds of their wicked
crimes.
“I
would encourage anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant they may
think it is, to call Crimestoppers Scotland on 0800 555 111. Their lines are
open 24/7 and that one piece of information could provide the final bit of
evidence that helps the police get one of these criminals off our streets.”
MSP
for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, added:
“Drug
dealers don’t just harm the addicts they supply – the violence, antisocial
behaviour and assorted undesirables they attract drag decent communities down
and make everyone suffer.
“Good
local intelligence is the police’s biggest weapon in their fight to stop these
parasites getting rich off the back of our community.
So if you have any information you think might be useful, call
Crimestoppers Scotland free and in total confidence on 0800 555 111.”
Assistant
Chief Constable John L.S. Malcolm, Secretary for the Crime Business Area for the
Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), said:
“Do
not underestimate the fear and misery that drug dealers cause in our
communities. Whether it is the so-called Mr Bigs or the street dealers, they
contribute to tearing apart the fabric of people’s lives.
“However,
this campaign gives power back to the communities. It gives them a voice and it
gives them an opportunity to help the authorities identify drug dealers.
“We
have many examples of drug dealers being brought to justice because people have
had the courage to pick up the phone and tell us what they know about local drug
dealers in their area. Last year’s campaign was a success but now we must
build on that. Our targets are now
more focussed and we need information from the public.
“Often
the police may not act on that information immediately, for a number of reasons,
but we guarantee that it will form part of an overarching strategy of
intelligence we use to target drug dealers.”
Inspector
Graeme Ross, National Co-ordinator for Crimestoppers Scotland said:
“The
public’s support for last year’s campaign was incredible and once again with
their help we can build on this success and get drug dealers off our streets.
“We
would encourage the public to continue their support by calling Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111 with any information they have. Even the smallest detail can
help in the fight against drugs and drug dealing in our communities. If
you know anything at all – please pick up the phone.
“Calls to Crimestoppers are completely anonymous. Remember, we want you to tell us what you know – not who you are!”
Last
year’s six week long national Drug Dealers Don’t Care (DDDC) campaign saw a
452% increase in the number of calls to Crimestoppers. 3,600 actionable calls
were made to the 24 hour helpline.
ENDS
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