Newark and Sherwood’s neighbourhood policing teams putting a focus on driving down dealing, exploitation, and drug-fuelled crime

Drug dealers, users, and those who take advantage of vulnerable residents are under the microscope as police crack down across the district.

While tackling drug crime is always part of police officers’ daily business, it has now also been named as one of three priorities for the area’s neighbourhood policing teams for the period for September to December.

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, explained the decision to put a focus on the issue came based on community feedback from certain areas across the district, where residents have felt the ill effects of the drugs trade.

Not only is the sale and use of drugs itself an issue, but it often has the knock-on effect of attracting other types of crime and putting vulnerable people at risk.

“Drugs can fuel acquisitive crime such as shop theft, which can be used to fund a drugs habit,” Inspector Ellam said.

“It can also lead to cuckooing — we have seen some examples of this in the district — where vulnerable people have their flats or houses essentially taken over and made into drug dens.

“The team are really well versed in what this looks like. If anyone is concerned about a relative or neighbour who is vulnerable, they can refer them to us and we can check up on them and help make sure they’re not at risk.

“There is also an increased risk of serious violence involved in the drugs trade, and particularly in terms of county lines children can find themselves in difficult situations which they can’t get out of.”

Drug crime is an issue which is felt in locations right across the district, and to tackle it officers work hard to gather and develop intelligence into the area’s dealers, supply chains, and users — something which community feedback plays an important role in.

The Inspector added: “Community feedback is really important, it helps us build a picture of what is happening so we can actually do something meaningful about it, even if people want to report information anonymously through Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).”

Once involved individuals are identified, enforcement action will be taken — including warrants and collaborative work with Newark and Sherwood District Council to secure injunctions or housing-related enforcement, as the district predominantly sees dwelling-based drug crime.

The crackdown on shop theft perpetuated by drug users will also continue, following on from last quarter’s retail crime priority which saw prolific offenders targeted and a high rate of sanctions following reported offences. While no longer a named priority, tackling shop theft will continue as part of officers’ day-to-day policing work.

The management and rehabilitation of prolific offenders whose crimes were drug-fuelled will also continue through Nottinghamshire Police’s Op Legacy scheme.

Launched in Newark in 2021, the scheme aims to break the cycle of repeated offending through multi-agency management — including drug treatment, mental health support, and help with housing and benefits for the involved individuals — and has already resulted in a 45% drop in re-offending in the area.

“Significant prison sentences” have also been secured for other drug-related offenders, the Inspector explained, and there has been recent success in suspected drug dealer Levi Beckford, 23, of Ellis Court, St Ann’s, being charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, after he was detained on Yorke Drive on September 19.

Neighbourhood officers uncovered and seized large quantities of Class A drugs believed to be crack cocaine from nearby, and also found Beckford to have three phones and large amounts of cash in his possession. He is due to stand trial at Nottingham Crown Court at a later date.

“Drugs affect the wider community,” Inspector Ellam said.

“Parents want to be able to send their children out to play at the park without worrying about what or who is there. We want to ensure and promote community safety, and drugs are a big factor in damaging that confidence.”