'We need you in the war on drugs'
POLICE in Torbay are spearheading a new attack on the resort's drug-fuelled crime scene by inviting people to 'Rat on a Rat'.
They want to harness the help of the public to catch the 'vile dealers in drugs' whose activities are directly linked to the majority of dwelling burglaries and vehicle crime across the Bay.
A similar enterprise in Plymouth, launched late last year, has already been hailed a major success.
Officers behind the Bay initiative are hoping to celebrate the same crime-busting results from the community.
Reported crime in the Bay this year is already down more than 30 per cent on last year.
One of the Bay's crime incident managers, Insp Adrian Leisk, (pictured) said: “Crime and drugs intelligence is our lifeblood in tackling this issue — and the public play a vital role in that support.
“With Rat on a Rat we can tap into the public's desire to rid their neighbourhoods of this vile traffic in drugs.”
Bay commander Chris Singer added: “This gives everyone the opportunity to make a contribution in the fight against crime.
“What has happened in Plymouth shows there is a willingness on the part of the public to offer positive help to make their neighbourhoods better and safer places to live.”
Police are actively encouraging residents to 'grass up' anyone they suspect of involvement in the illicit drugs trade, much of which they say is financed by the proceeds of crimes that impact most on the community, particularly thefts from cars and homes.
Supt Singer said: “People should have no qualms against reporting those who make their living out of other people's misery.
“This is a worthy campaign which we hope will further strengthen the sense of pride in the community which the Bay already enjoys.”
He urged anyone with information of value to the police to pick up the phone and ring the confidential Crimestoppers freephone number 0800 555111 as a matter of urgency.
His comments are endorsed by Bob Widdecombe, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Crimestoppers Trust, who said: “We want to know where the drugs are coming from, who is using them and who is selling them.
“Plymouth has shown the campaign does work because lots of information has come through and arrests have been made. We want that duplicated in Torbay.”
The blitz has been made possible thanks to a £10,000 cash boost to the Crimestoppers charity by the Plymouth and South West Co-op.
Director Douglas Fletcher said his company recognised the 'devastating impact' drug-related crime had locally.
He said it was important to raise awareness of the problems involved and to reduce the effect such crimes had within the community.
The campaign will include a number of publicity posters appearing at key sites around the Bay.
22 Comments
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by dave, Kilburn
Sunday, August 03 2008, 12:55PM
“ps Dear D+C police how about spending your time making it safe for my family to walk around Torquay, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth etc after dark rather than being threatend by drunk yobs shouting and intimidating everyone- this is the only country that can't seem to handle it's drink but hey what do I know...”
by dave, kilburn
Sunday, August 03 2008, 12:51PM
“Here's an idea, instead of dividing communities by setting neighbours and work colleagues against each other, how about making it legal for a person to do whatever they want with their own body in their own home? 'Grassing' neighbours worked wonders in 1930's Germany for crimes against the state but it's a fundamentally flawed approach. Tax all drugs to the hilt as is being done with tobacco and alcohol and use the revenue to educate people as to the dangers of drugs, pay for real job creation in the South West so people do not have to get themselves out of their minds to escape a reality of minimum wage, soul destroying service jobs and no chance of owning their own home. I am disgusted that Devon and Cornwall Police are using this initiative to apeal to petty rivalries- many people's lives will be ruined by this. Soft drug users will be the real target losing jobs and way of life when they are shopped and guess what more 'crimes' will be solved massaging the figures.”
by Richard James, Paignton
Saturday, August 02 2008, 2:01PM
“C. Biss: how have you gone from "legalise it" to "Make jails a harsh deterant"?
We agree on most points, I objected to the mention of foreigners but I do agree there is no sence in giving them HM B&B at our expense.
I also agree with 'rat on a rat'. The question is what constitutes a crime: somebody at home smoking a joint? somebody out dancing who has taken extacy? These people shouldn't be criminals, they are no different from people out for a few drinks. Our classifications are a result of a biased history and need to be ammended according to the facts. Imagine a world where alcohol is illegal, logically it should be somewhere between ketamine and cocaine in class A. If you fancy a bottle of wine u have to score it from a dealer etc, not many people will want that! But u cant have it both ways.
I suggest following the Dutch model which reduces street crime, funding of serious crime, free's up police time, creates industry, collects tax, makes addiction a health issue etc etc”
by C. Biss, Torquay
Friday, August 01 2008, 6:41PM
“Richard, I would suggest you read your comments again, I never brought up the racist card? my boyfriend is a law abiding foreign national. The term 'foreign national' is valid for someone who is not a 'UK national'”
by Richard James, Paignton
Friday, August 01 2008, 1:26PM
“"kate moss, pete docherty, amy winehouse" ...exactly, they dont have to steal to fund their addictions because they are loaded. It's vunerable people with no money that get into a mess with hard drugs. Those celebs get rehab; not a prison sentance.
"Foreign nationals" why bring race into it at all? If you want to isolate somebody then pick on the northern influx in the 90s when people from Manchester/Liverpool/Glasgow etc came down here for the easy life on the dole, setting up dealing drugs with their connections from up north. I don't disagree with your comments about sending foreign criminals home instead of spending money on them here; but race has nothing to do with this discussion.
I'm not condoning theft or drug abuse at all, I'm saying that the war on drugs is not the solution. If alcohol was illegal and cost £40 a day to an addict we would see exactly the same social cost as we do currently with heroin.
Drugs are not the problem, how we handle them is.”
by C. Biss, torquay
Friday, August 01 2008, 10:50AM
“P.S. "The thing that links hard drug addicts is their social circumstances" kate moss, pete docherty, amy winehouse, whitney houston...... get real Richard!
Rat on a Rat ...has always been the civil duty of everyone.”
by C. Biss, Torquay
Friday, August 01 2008, 10:40AM
“In response to Richard James, Paignton regarding my 'foreign nationals' comment. If a visitor to our country breaks our law, why should we tax payers foot the bill to keep them safe, warm, fed and given TV / computer and education. It would be more economical to us if they had a flight paid for and send them back to their country of origin, this would then free up cash for people in this country who have not broke any laws but can not feed or keep warm themselves? Why would you think this has anything to do with Racism??”
by Richard James, Paignton
Friday, August 01 2008, 9:53AM
“"Drunk dealing"!
Haha, the irony!”
by M.Jacobs, Torquay
Friday, August 01 2008, 2:45AM
“Im happy with police I told them some one I work with was drunk dealing. He was arrested and charged with dealing drugs almost right away! I dont really know what more I could ask for!”
by Marc, Torbay
Thursday, July 31 2008, 8:37PM
“I just phoned the 0800 number but was told 'my suspicion' of drugs dealing wasn't good enough. The whole neighbourhood knows about the numerous, 5 minute visits, esp. on Friday and Saturday night, but my assumption this could be drugs dealing was snubbed as I didn't have evidence. What am I supposed to do, knock on the door and ask? I thought that was the police's job and that my contribution could possibly lead to completion of one of many puzzles but no, I was told it could be 'merely' prostitution ( 5 minutes???) and my details were ignored. Is anyone surprised the public don't bother anymore? No wonder crime figures go down; noone cares anymore, incl. crime'stoppers'. The figures go down but crime is on the increase. Same with drunken yobs and the only way to fight it is to get organised and get the baseball bats from the cupboards.”