Drugs raids in Bolton

In recent months, it has become apparent that Bolton’s Police force are determined to do something about the problem of gangs and drugs in the town.

With the drug raids this year resulting in 21 people being arrested, it is clear that Bolton is determined to rid itself of the vermin that has riddled its streets for many years.

It has been part of a campaign that started in September of 2005 with the introduction of Operation Hercules.

Since then, there have been several raids that have involved more than 20 people, clearly spelling out the extent of how many drugs gangs there are in the town.

It has been quite successful in catching criminals, 23 people being arrested in the same year that Operation Hercules was launched, 24 the year after and 21 in the recent raids.

The majority of these raids have been to confiscate Class A drugs, resulting in defendants being given lengthy sentences in prison.

The most recent of these were conducted across much of Bolton, and spanned over 20 addresses, using of course many police officers and taking much planning.

Superintendent of Operations for GMP's Bolton division, Andy Durkin, told the Bolton News:

"Safer Neighbourhoods has been at the heart of today's operation. It puts the emphasis on consulting people and communities about their concerns, and then working with them and other partners to resolve them at a local level.”

But there are other problems aside from drugs that are hurting the town. Daniel Johns, 26 of Halliwell, Bolton, said:

“There are still lots of kids on the streets.

“Regularly, I walk down Halliwell Road and find big groups of teens hanging around and drinking. They can shout abuse at people who pass by, or sometimes I see the graffiti-ing.”

Katie Marsden, 19 of Brownlow Fold, Bolton agreed:

“I do see lots of younger children hanging around the street, unaccompanied by adults. Sometimes there are people of my age who hang around with them too. They can only be causing trouble.

“To be honest, something should be done about these. They are causing more trouble to the community rather than drug dealers who generally hurt themselves instead of others.”

On the recent drugs raids, however, Sheena Govan, 32 of Gilnow Gardens, Bolton said:

“You see a lot of drug dealers around here. You know to keep away from them though.

“I’m glad to hear that something is being done about it though.”

Simon Ebbrell, 20 of Doffcocker, Bolton said:

“I’m glad that these raids have occurred. It makes me feel better that they have been charged too. It makes the streets feel safer.”

The police operation will no doubt carry on for a long time, but with so much time and money being spent on the drugs problems in Bolton, other areas of crime that need attention could find that they are pushed to the background.

The raids could make the town a safer place, however, and the time and effort of the police should be taken into consideration.



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