A Policing Update by PC Mo Huzair
20th December 2018
The residents raised concerns about drugs in the area, and for months I have not been able to update you. This is because we cannot comment on ongoing intelligence investigations as it would jeopardise any such investigation. This is incredibly frustrating for everybody as I can’t publicly defend ourselves against any criticisms raised by the residents. But now finally I am able to tell you what we’ve been doing about it!
In late summer we had sufficient information
provided locally to progress an investigation into the supply of drugs around
the Meriden.
We then had to put together an operational order, which plans out the
operation, the methods and locations , making decisions about the necessity to
investigate the crimes and the effects on the neighbourhood against the human
rights of people who may be affected by such an operation.
We then worked with our partner teams in intervention and plain clothes units
to further that intelligence and crack down on the low level dealers, which
resulted in a number of arrests for supplying drugs.
I then had to go to a court and satisfy them
that there was enough information to swear out warrants. It was then a case of resourcing the
warrants, which is quite a staff intensive job.
Then warrants were executed as part of that ongoing investigation.
This has been a tremendous success so far.
Below is the press release which went out on 20th December 2018.
Police Press Release
20th December 2018
Further drug warrants in Watford
Police in Watford continued their crackdown on drug crime by carrying out further warrants in the town.
On Thursday 13th December, officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team and Operation Scorpion unit, executed warrants under Police and criminal evidence act, at two addresses in the Meriden ward.
One man was arrested at an address in The Gossamers in connection with eight criminal damage offences, for which he was given a caution, and on suspicion of a drugs offence for which he remains under investigation at this time. A small quantity of herbal cannabis was seized, along with cash and mobile phones.
No arrests were made at the second address in Garsmouth Way but a number of weapons were volunteered to police for destruction.
PC Mo Huzair, who led the operation, said: “These warrants were executed as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs in Watford, led by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, with support from Operation Scorpion.
“We are regularly carrying out warrants to try and target those suspected of being involved in drug supply and associated criminality. If you are, it’s only a matter of time before we catch up with you.
“Drugs can have a big impact on local communities as they are often the catalyst for more violent crime. If you suspect drug crime in your neighbourhood, please continue to report it to police so we can build up an intelligence picture to enable us to take appropriate action.”
Anyone with information can contact the non-emergency number 101 or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
For over 30 years, Crimestoppers has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts them.