ACPO Response to Seizure of Drugs in England and Wales

ACPO lead on drugs Tim Hollis, Chief Constable of Humberside Police, said:

“The report today demonstrates the continued success of partnerships between the police, the UK Border Agency and Customs to target the drugs trade and reduce the harm caused by illicit drugs on communities in England and Wales.

“It reveals there has been a record 241,090 drug seizures, an increase of six per cent compared with 2007/08. Police forces accounted for 97 per cent of seizures and overall police force seizures rose by five per cent.

“Despite these impressive seizure rates it is clear that there is some way to go to curb the demand for drugs, particularly cocaine at street level which again was shown as the most commonly seized Class A drug.

“We are continuing to make inroads on countering this harmful trade. It reflects the law enforcement agencies contribution to the overall national strategy to tackle drug crime through prevention, education, enforcement and treatment. We must not become complacent but do everything possible to reduce the supply and impact of drugs in society.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).

• The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.

• ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.