Thursday, December 8, 2022
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COUNTY LINES FIGHT GOES ON
A police boss insists working backwards to take out those “driving the business” of county lines crime in Shropshire is key. Since May last year, police say known drug lines in the county have been reduced from 23 to seven. West Mercia Police in Shropshire have been working with officers in Merseyside and other areas of the country to disrupt drug rings and attack the problem at its source. Officers recently cracked down and closed two county lines, arresting 38 people across the West Mercia force area as well as seizing drugs worth more than £7,000, weapons including knives and machetes plus £15,000 in cash. That was part of the National Crime Agency’s County Lines Intensification Week. During the week officers visited 110 properties and 18 safeguarding referrals were made as a result. County lines is the name given to the process and operation of drugs transported from predominately larger urban areas to smaller towns, often in rural areas, with the ‘line’ referring to the mobile number used to order the drugs. Superintendent Stuart Bill described it as an “absolutely awful crime” which targets those in peril,
Report by Nick Humphreys
and said that tackling the root cause is an important part of fighting the issue. “We know that the criminals at the heart of them are determined to try and sell their product,” he said. “It’s a business to them. It targets the most vulnerable in the community. People from deprived backgrounds, giving them the incentive to make money. “The reality is, there is real harm being caused to them both physically and psychologically, especially in terms of addictions that can start up as a result. It’s an absolutely awful crime.” He added: “What is really important is to work backward to try and take out the line. That way you are dealing with the real criminals that are driving the business. “That’s not to say we won’t offer interventions with street dealers. But often there is a more complex story with them.” Anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs, or that a young or vulnerable individual may be getting involved with county lines drug dealing can report this online under the Tell Us About section of the police website westmercia.police.uk
Santa arrives at the zoo
Turkey farm supply fears Turkey suppliers have spoken of the ‘nervous wait’ and high costs of battling to ensure they don’t succumb to the devastating impact of bird flu in the run up to Christmas. Consumers have been warned of a “big, big shortage” of British freerange turkeys over the festive period and half of the free-range turkeys produced for Christmas in the UK have already been killed in the bird flu epidemic. A spokesman for one supplier, Wrekin Turkeys, said it has been a challenging time. “We have a couple more weeks to stay safe and that means it’s even more nerve-wracking,” he said.
Stolen horse led to market
Santa and an elf – with Barney Jr the barn owl – in the grotto Telford’s Exotic Zoo has kicked off the festivities for zoo guests with its own Santa’s Grotto. The grotto, which officially opened last Saturday, has been given the seal of approval by one of the zoo’s special residents – Barney
Jr, the barn owl. As well as hosting its own grotto, the zoo has also launched a new ‘Breakfast with Santa’ experience in the attraction’s Jungle Cafe. The festive experience runs from 9.30am to 10.30am on selected days.
Police are investigating after an elderly horse was stolen from a field and led through a busy German market. Dollar, a thoroughbred cross warmblood horse, went missing from his field in Hinkshay on Saturday afternoon. Police said they received subsequent reports that he had been led through the German Market at Telford town centre, and that two men had tried to take him up the escalator into the nearby Asda store. A 19-year-old male was later arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. He has since been released on bail as investigations into the incident continue.
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