North Devon campaign targets drug-dealing 'rats'
DRUG-DEALING neighbours are the target of a campaign being launched in Barnstaple tomorrow (Friday) Rat on a Rat is the title of the campaign, being run by CrimeStoppers and Safer North Devon. It is designed to encourage people to call anonymously to re
DRUG-DEALING neighbours are the target of a campaign being launched in Barnstaple tomorrow (Friday)
Rat on a Rat is the title of the campaign, being run by CrimeStoppers and Safer North Devon.
It is designed to encourage people to call anonymously to report any suspected drug dealing in their neighbourhood.
The launch programme will include bus advertising and a poster and leaflet campaign across northern Devon.
You may also want to watch:
Bob Widdecombe, chairman of Devon and Cornwall CrimeStoppers, said: "Rat on a Rat provides an opportunity for local people to report their concerns anonymously.
"We know that communities know what is happening and want to report it, but often fear reprisals.
Most Read
- 1 Devon's Tiki surf brand is up for sale
- 2 I'm Still Standing: Ambulance worker's battle against the darkness
- 3 'Bonkers' idea led to the creation of Children's Hospice South West
- 4 Northam murder suspect remanded in custody
- 5 Barnstaple's The ilab launches iPad appeal to help lockdown home schoolers
- 6 Barnstaple man cleared of drug dealing charges
- 7 Tributes to Ilfracombe's 30-year school governor
- 8 Three more Covid deaths at North Devon District Hospital but cases are falling
- 9 Man charged with murder of Northam pensioner
- 10 Council and police step up Covid enforcement in North Devon
"This scheme makes it safe to do so as they won't be asked for their name and the call will not be traced or recorded."
Amanda Palmer, community safety manager for Safer North Devon, a crime reduction partnership, said: "We have chosen to launch this campaign during National Tackling Drugs Week as it's a time of heightened awareness around drugs, the impact on our communities and the initiatives under way to tackle them.
"Locally, through community information, we have recently had some significant drug house closures, drastically improving the quality of life for local residents.
"We now want to build on this and ask every community to get involved. We live in a very safe area and we want to work with our residents to keep it that way.
