Help Tackle Drugs: Rat on A Rat
That’s the message from CrimeStoppers who have teamed up with Safer North Devon in fresh efforts to work with communities to tackle drug-dealing neighbours.
Rat on a Rat is a proven campaign from CrimeStoppers that encourages residents to call anonymously to report any suspected drug dealing in their neighbourhood. It will be launched formally during National Tackling Drugs week, which commences 8th June 2009.
The launch programme for Rat on Rat will include information in the local media, an advertising campaign on the local “First” Bus Company and a poster and leaflet campaign across Northern Devon.
Bob Widdecombe, Chairman for Devon and Cornwall CrimeStoppers said “ Rat on a Rat provides an opportunity for local residents to report their concerns anonymously”, he added “ we know that communities know what’s happening and want to report it, but often fear reprisals, this scheme makes it safe to do so as they won’t be asked for their name and the call will not be traced or recorded”
Drug Dealing in any community affects the quality of life of many local residents, bringing misery not only to the user, but also family, friends and the wider community.
Amanda Palmer, Community Safety Manager for Safer North Devon added. “We’ve chosen to launch this campaign during National Tackling Drugs week as it’s a time of heightened awareness around drugs, the impact on our communities and the initiatives under way to tackle them. She added “Locally, through community information we’ve recently had some significant drug house closures, drastically improving quality of life for local residents, we now want to build on this and ask every community to get involved. We live in a very safe area; we want to work with our residents to keep it that way “
Safer North Devon ask residents to look out for:
- High numbers of visitors to one property
- Visitors stopping for short periods
- Individual approaching parked cars for short periods
- Drug “litter” such as needles and syringes found close to a suspected location
Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
Residents can report any drug litter to their local council on either North Devon (Greensweep) (01271) 374776 or Torridge (01237) 428734
Anybody wanting help with a drug problem can call EDP on (01271) 859044 or an Alcohol problem call Addaction (01271) 325232 or Y-Smart (01271) 388162 for support for Young People for Drugs or Alcohol.
Amanda Palmer |
Bob Widdecombe |
Editors Notes:
Safer North Devon is the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) covering both North Devon and Torridge Districts. The partnership is supported by agencies who are accountable under the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act to deliver on a reduction in Crime, Fear of Crime and Antisocial Behaviour as well as others with a local stakeholder interest. Our accountable bodies are Devon County Council, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, North Devon Council, Devon Primary Care Trust, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and Torridge Council.
EDP works with people across Devon and in Dorset who have, or are affected by, drug and alcohol problems both in the community and in prisons.
http://www.edp.org.uk/ North Devon Services – 01271 859044
Addaction is the commissioned service provider for Adult alcohol Treatment for Northern Devon offering one-to-one counselling, help with motivation and provide information and advice on ways to overcome alcohol problems. Clients are referred by GP or other specialist services, and voluntarily. Addaction also offers alcohol awareness training to community groups, professionals and employers and can help employers engage with staff who have an alcohol or drug problem .
www.addaction.org.uk or call 01271 325232 or alcoholreferraldevon.org.uk
Y-Smart deliver targeted Drug and Alcohol Support Services for young people up to the age of 19 years old. If any young person has a problem with drugs, alcohol or solvents and wants help, they can call, email or refer themselves to Y-Smart.
www.y-smart.org.uk or call 01271 388162 or email info@y-smart.org.uk.or
Photo launch to take place with bus street liner unveiling expected Friday 12th June in Barnstaple Call Safer North Devon for final details.
Tuesday, 2nd June, 2009
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