A teenage boy was arrested on Monday, May 16, 2022, on suspicion of drug dealing, after residents in the Russell Park area of Bedford reported suspicious activity.
A 16-year-old boy from London was arrested after officers tackling crime related to county lines activity found him in possession of suspected crack cocaine and heroin, along with a lock knife and £200 in cash.
County lines typically involves drugs gangs selling their products in other towns using a dedicated phone line. These offenders are often linked to serious violence and use intimidation, grooming and exploitation, particularly of young or vulnerable people, to run drug dealing networks across the country.
Officers were responding to intelligence submitted by the local community after concerns about drug dealing in the area were raised. Proactive patrols were subsequently increased to identify those involved in any linked criminality.
Detective Sergeant James West said: “Tackling drug dealing and drug-related crime is something we take very seriously and we know from experience that the best way to tackle this is by working together with the community and other stakeholders.
“Information from local people is incredibly helpful in forming our policing response. Although you may not see us acting straight away, all intelligence feeds into our wider approach to deploying officers and other resources to the areas that need it most. This arrest is a great example of how we can work together to apprehend those we think are involved in drug-related crime.
“I would encourage anyone who suspects drug dealing is happening in their area to let us know right away.”
Anyone with information about drug dealing, county lines or child criminal exploitation can contact Bedfordshire Police on 101 or via the force’s online reporting centre.
All of these reports are fed into police intelligence systems and can help officers build up a better picture of organised crime.
You can also report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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