DRUGS offences have risen by 38.35% across Cheshire – more than six times the national average.
Between July 2008 and this month, the number of such crimes recorded rose 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 put this increase down to them pumping extra resources into the fight against drug users and dealers across the county, and cite several high-profile operations to tackle this menace.
Senior officers also stress 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.
“Residents can expect to see more strikeout operations targeting dealers and suppliers and proactive targeting of drug use in our towns and city centres.”
