A week of action against drugs in Andover as part of “Operation Fortress” has yielded several arrests including a 14-year-old and 16-year-old.
The Andover Safer Neighbourhoods team executed three warrants, arrested five people and spoke to over 300 school children as part of a week-long crack down on drugs in the town.
During the week, commencing Monday, March 24, the team took action to restrict the availability of illegal drugs in Andover and to educate members of the community about the dangers of drugs.
Warrants were executed at addresses on Camelot Close, Genoa Court and Woodcutters Court on Tuesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 27 with around £1000 worth of cannabis, £3500 heroin and £600 of cocaine being seized during the searches.
During the warrants the following arrests were made:
A 35-year-old woman from Andover was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. She has been bailed pending further enquiries until June 17.
A 14-year-old boy from Andover was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class A drug. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until June 17.
Two 21-year-old men from Andover were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug. They have been bailed pending further enquiries until May 21.
A 16-year-old boy from London has been charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He will be appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 29.
The team also carried out over 50 stop searches during the week and issued seven cannabis street warnings.
The week of action was not only about taking action against those suspected of being involved in drugs. It was also about education and offering help and support.
Numerous people were referred to support services during the week to hopefully provide them with the help and support they need to escape alcohol and drug misuse.
Officers also visited local schools and colleges to talk to them about the dangers of drugs and how to spot if their friends or family are in need of help.
Sergeant John Smith from the Andover Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “Operation Fortress is a campaign with police and other agencies to find long term solutions to restricting the supply of drugs, reducing demand and rebuilding communities. We are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.
“The support we receive from local people is vital in helping us make our communities safer and every piece of information is greatly appreciated.
“The things to look out for are as follows:
• A sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time
• Short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house
• Residents leaving a flat or house on numerous occasions throughout the day and returning a short time later
• People loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently
• New-looking or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car.”
If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.
You can also email us in confidence operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.