Drug seizures rise across Bedfordshire

Cannabis was the most common confiscated drug, followed by cocaine and heroin
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bedfordshire police officers carried out more drug seizures last year, figures reveal.

The National Police Chiefs' Council said officers across England and Wales are taking even more of the highest-harm illegal drugs off the streets and preventing them from bolstering a "multi-million pound illicit market".

Home Office data shows Bedfordshire Police made 1,398 drug seizures in 2019-20, up 15 per cent compared to 1,220 the previous year.

Cannabis was the most common confiscated drug, followed by cocaine and heroinCannabis was the most common confiscated drug, followed by cocaine and heroin
Cannabis was the most common confiscated drug, followed by cocaine and heroin

That equated to a rate of 2,071 seizures per million population – below the national average of 2,808 per million.

In Bedfordshire, cannabis was the most commonly seized drug, which was involved in 84 per cent of seizures where the drug type was known in 2019-20. This was followed by cocaine (8 per cent) and heroin (6 per cent).

Detective Chief Superintendent Duncan Young said: “Bedfordshire is reflective of the national picture, in which illicit drugs continue to be the most significant driver of serious violence, with drug dealers exploiting children and vulnerable people and bringing harm to our communities.

"Gang members and organised crime groups are utilising cannabis dealing to recruit children into crime and associated violence.

“We are working tirelessly to crackdown on illicit drugs within Bedfordshire, both from a police and also partnership perspective, going after the dealers and networks who attempt to make a profit from the exploitation of vulnerable people, as well as seeking to aid treatment provisions and referrals for those addicted.

"As a force we are continually seeking improvements in how we tackle this issue and have commissioned research by the National Crime Agency’s former drugs lead, which will provide an evidence base to learn from as an organisation, with key recommendations to improve our existing skills and processes. It is vital for us to continue with the pursuit of these criminals and get drugs off the streets of Bedfordshire.

“Illicit drugs, of all classes, remain the main source of both income for organised crime, as well as the exploitation of vulnerable people in our communities, so we are asking people to remain diligent and proactive to help us tackle the supply of other illegal commodities by organised criminal gangs.”

But Laura Garius, policy lead at drug reform charity Release, said this does little to disrupt the drugs market.

"It begs the question of why police think detecting small amounts of drugs is more of a policing priority in 2019 than say, in 2016," she added.

"Criminalisation damages employment and educational opportunities, yet we know alternative approaches, such as decriminalisation or diversion, can result in better outcomes for individuals, communities and police and this is why we need national reform.”

The Home Office said the Government is "committed to driving down drugs supply in the UK through tough law enforcement, which is reflected in the increase in drug seizures made by police forces".