During December, Burngreave, Firth Park and Shiregreen Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) cracked down on illegal drug activity in three planned days-of-action.

Following residents raising concerns about illegal drug activity at recent Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings, trained officers from the Burngreave SNTs executed a number of drug warrants. This resulted in eight arrests and two cautions, as well as over £14,000 of what is believed to be cannabis plants and Class A drugs being seized. Landlords’ associations also accompanied officers so that action could be taken which could lead to evictions.

In addition, SNT officers used these days-of-action to interact with and reassure local residents, visiting neighbouring properties of those where the warrants were executed to explain these activities. Officers also carried out 12 stop-and-searches, arrested one person for criminal damage, one person for breach of an antisocial behaviour order and issued a warning for antisocial use of a motor vehicle.

The SNT then conducted high-visibility patrols in key areas, visited local post offices, pubs and schools, and used the mobile police station at Nethershire Shops, Firth Park Centre, and Ellesmere Green to give people the opportunity to meet police officers.

Inspector Simon Leake said: “This was a successful operation which was very well received by the community and these types of activities will therefore continue throughout 2010.”