DRUGS offences have risen by an average of 38.35% across Cheshire – more than six times the national average, writes Chris Smith.

Between July 2008 and this month the number of such crimes increased by 46% in the Northern division of the county, 63.66% in the Eastern division and 11.06% in the Western division.

This is in stark contrast to the national picture, in which drugs offences rose by 6% in England and Wales, and by 12% in the North West.

Cheshire police say the massive increase in numbers is down to them pumping extra resources into the fight against drug – and they cite several high-profile operations to tackle the menace.

Senior officers also stress that overall crime in the county has fallen by 5.27%, meaning about 4,000 fewer victims. It has fallen across the UK by 5%.

However, Cheshire has seen small increases in domestic burglary (1.37%), in line with the national figure, and robbery (1.57%), which is down 5% across the UK.

Cheshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Phil Thompson said: “We listened and acted on the concerns raised about drugs in our communities.

“The rise in the number of recorded drug offences last year is testimony to the work officers and staff have done to tackle drug offences.

“We recorded more drug offences than in the previous year due to the number of pre-planned operations we carried out targeting drug dealers.

“We also conducted more initiatives to disrupt the supply of drugs to users than in the previous year, in direct response to the concerns raised by local people.

“We know the impact drugs have on the number and types of crimes being committed. Users often burgle, steal or commit robbery to fund their habits, dealers use intimidation and threats to recover debts from users who cannot pay on time and organised crime gangs can use profits from drug supply to fund more serious criminal activity.”

He added: “Our work in this area continues. Last year we sent a clear message to those people who think that drugs are an easy way to make a profit.

“Residents can expect to see more Strikeout Operations targeting dealers and suppliers and proactive targeting of drug use in our towns and cities.”

Meanwhile, in Cheshire, less people reported violence being used against them last year than in the previous year. This was a drop of 889 victims.

The number of sexual offences recorded in Cheshire fell by 6.99%, exceeding the fall nationally by 3%.

Offences involving vehicles – comprising damage to vehicles, aggravated vehicle-taking, and theft of and from vehicles – also fell by more than the number recorded nationally. There was a 13.89% drop in the number of vehicle offences in Cheshire.