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Police arrest 16 in drug-dealing crackdown

BBC View of the back of a police officer - wearing a hi-vis jacket marked Police, and a helmet - standing to the right of a walk-through metal detector arch placed in front of ticket barriers at Haymarket Metro Station. People can be seen in the background entering the metro station.BBC
Metal detector arches were used at Haymarket Metro Station

More than a dozen people have been arrested during a day of action by a police force targeting drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

More than 100 Northumbria Police officers were involved in a series of raids across Newcastle, with suspected drugs and cash seized.

They arrested 16 men and women, aged between 26 and 58, on suspicion of a variety of offences.

The initiative - part of the force's Operation Impact - also involved crime prevention work.

Officers used a walk-through metal detector at Haymarket Metro Station to check passengers for weapons, aimed at deterring knife crime and reassuring the public.

Cotton drawstring bag, open to display its content - a number of clear plastic wraps containing a white substance, which police believe to be Class A drugs. It is resting on black webbed material, possibly the inside of a jacket
Police seized a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs

Police say the operation showed their commitment to maintaining a high-profile presence in the community, targeting offenders and preventing crime.

Ch Insp Nigel Bennett described it as "a joint operation with our partners to respond to public concerns".

He said: "We've seen anti-social behaviour in the city centre.... drug dealing, which is why we've gone down the search warrant route.

"It's about increased visibility, targeting suspects, preventing crime, and engaging with the community."

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