February 2019 ISSUE 048
www.winchestertoday.co.uk
48 ARRESTS IN COUNTY DRUGS OPERATION ‘Fortress Plan’ sees nearly £30k of drugs seized By KEVIN GOVER News Editor HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has joined forces with other agencies in an intense national week of action to tackle ‘County Lines’ drug dealing. This is the name given to drug dealing which involves organised crime groups from urban centres expanding their drug dealing activity to smaller towns and rural areas. Dealers typically use a single phone line to facilitate the supply of drugs which becomes a valuable
asset and is protected with violence and intimidation. Over £12,000 in cash was also recovered in the action led by the National Crime Agency. Officers from Hampshire executed warrants, stop searched, conducted safeguarding visits, and worked with local schools to raise awareness of this method of drug supply. The force worked proactively with partners at the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police, targeting and
The week of action has been hugely successful
disrupting those involved in ‘County Lines’ drug dealing. Officers also went to the Isle of Wight Ferry terminals with drugs dogs to check passengers travelling between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. The officers say they’re working hard to ensure Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is a hostile environment for those seeking to profit from drugs. The operational activity in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight was led by Superintendent Matthew Reeves: “This
Michael Frayn’s help for charity page 5
contined on page 7 ➜
GUESTS AT THE COMMONS
Described by our MP Steve Brine as ‘lovely’ - the children of Itchen Abbas Primary School are pictured here as special visitors at the Palace of Westminster. They were well wrapped up as it was one of the coldest days of the winter so far! Any school wishing to go should visit www.stevebrine.com/ visitingwestminster
39 Steps leaves them laughing page 11
Coogan and Reilly’s Stan and Ollie page 13