Drugs clampdown in Oswestry sees crime rate drop

Drug dealers from the north west had moved into an area of the town, and through intimidation and violence, had taken control of the tenant’s property, using violence and intimidation.

Now Star Housing has revealed that thanks to the 'county lines' and Operation Whistle projects, drugs dealers appear to have been driven out of the area.

In June a closure order was obtained to evict the tenant and drug dealers from a property in Swan Lane and the Shropshire Recovery Partnership offered help to the tenant who had been exploited because of his drug problem.

Star Housing’s neighbourhood manager, Martin Whitelegg, said: “Although previous partnership activities had focussed upon targeting individual tenants who had dealt drugs from their homes, it became apparent that some of the individuals were both vulnerable and being exploited by individuals from beyond the local area. They were in fact victims of their activities as well as being involved in drug related activities.

“Working in partnership with other enforcement agencies and West Mercia Police, a review of the reports from residents, coupled with intelligence from the local communities about individuals visiting the properties, highlighted the need for a strategic operation to deal with the cuckooing activities in Oswestry which has been blighting the lives of STAR our tenants.”

He said that since the closure order has been obtained there had been no further complaints of drug dealing in the area with a 62.5 per cent decrease in crime reported.