Drug addicts in Rhyl say they are finding it hard to buy illegal substances after a crime crackdown. North Wales Police said crime is down 14% since Project Renew started in the western half of the centre of the Denbighshire seaside town in April.
The force says it has made it harder for addicts to get drugs and in the process, has broken up several gangs, the BBC reports. The crime clampdown initiative has been run in conjunction with Denbighshire Council, the health board and businesses.
Rhyl is one of the most deprived areas in Wales. The town’s high crime rate has given the town an unfairly bad name, police say, reports WalesOnline.
Over the past eight months officers have carried out 35 raids and made 180 arrests in a small part of the seaside town between the high street, seafront and blue bridge over the River Clwyd. More officers are on the beat in the area. Coffee mornings have also been organised for locals to meet and have a say on what needs to be done in the area.
Chief Inspector Dave Cust said: “Addicts have been coming up to us on the streets and telling us they’re struggling to get drugs because we’ve been able to start turning off some of the supply taps. But this feels very different to previous high visibility operations that we’ve done in Rhyl West.
“Many drug users want to finish with drugs and it’s an important part of this project that we’re also supporting them and putting them in touch with the right people to get them off the drugs.”
Police said the project was different because other are working with the local council, health board and businesses in Rhyl. As part of the initiative addicts whose homes get taken over by drug dealers, a practice known as cuckooing, have been given more help to move away from Rhyl.
Chief Supt Owain Llewellyn said: “It’s a change of approach, recognising that some addicts, and even some of the low-level dealers are vulnerable people.
“But if we don’t do it, we’ll still be dealing with the same issues in this community next year, and in five or 10 years’ time. I’m under no illusions – we need to continue that pressure, and we need to continue to target those who cause real harm to the community.
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