Co-ordinated crackdown on drug dealers hailed a success

Sovereign Housing became aware of the alleged dealing when staff noticed three suspicious men at an address in Fifth Road, Newbury, last year and notified the police.
Sovereign spokesman Roy Probert said that the men were identified as known drug dealers and arrested and that neighbours had reported seeing the men selling drugs to schoolchildren from St Bartholomew’s School as well as seeing pupils visit the property.
Newbury Outer Neighbourhood Sergeant, Sgt Matthew Allen, said: “Thames Valley Police Newbury Neighbourhood Policing Team identified as a priority suspected drug related offences in and around the area of Fifth Road because a rise in drug-related behaviour had been noticed.
“Our concerns included the possibility that drug offences, particularly use and supply, were taking place in the local area and could possibly involve pupils who attend St Bartholomew’s School, which is close to the location.
“Police are working closely, to tackle these concerns,with landlords Sovereign Housing, which has since installed CCTV to be able to capture any criminal activity.
"We have also engaged with residents to encourage reporting of suspected drug offences, increased patrols and conducted plain clothes operations in the area.
“This partnership work and targeted measures has had a positive effect on the reduction of drug-related offences. However, we always encourage our local residents to report crime when it is witnessed or suspected so that police can take action.”
Following an eviction order and the installation of CCTV, Sovereign says there has been no further reports of anti-social behaviour.
Sovereign said that it reported the instances of drug dealing to then headmistress of St Bartholomew’s School, Christina Haddrell, and have worked with police to tackle the issue.
The current head, Julia Mortimore, said: “St Bartholomew’s School has close and effective relationships with a wide range of agencies and the local community. On this occasion, working together with neighbours and the police we were able to protect the school community.”
Sovereign’s regional housing manager, Matthew Hensby, said: “We are pleased that – through close cooperation with the police, Victim Support, St Bartholomew’s School and local residents – we have had no reports of anti-social behaviour or drugs-related activities ... since we took our action.
“As an organisation, we aim to build strong, thriving communities free from the menace of anti-social behaviour and drugs. In this case, we took quick, decisive action with our partners not only to remove the perpetrator, but also tackle the wider drugs problem in the area.”