HELP RESORT POLICE FIGHT DRUGS

WITHERNSEA'S senior police officer has urged residents to report
drug-takers and dealers in the town.

Inspector Andy Woodhead wants residents to back police moves to crack
down on drug problems in the resort.

The call follows talks held at Withernsea police station yesterday
with Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart.

Mr Stuart met the town's new police inspector after residents in the
Kirkfield Estate area raised drugs concerns in a survey conducted by the MP.

Some 575 residents responded to the MP's survey, in which 60 per cent
of respondents raised issues of crime, drug abuse and anti-social
behaviour in Withernsea.

Insp Woodhead said the police were keen to tackle the issues raised
in the survey.

But he emphasised residents also had an important role to play, by
alerting the police about drugs activity in their area.

He said: "I welcome the work that Graham Stuart has done on the
survey and I want to use the results in conjunction with residents'
intelligence on drug users to tackle drug supply in Withernsea.

"Residents can contact us at Withernsea police station if they have
issues to raise or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously."

Mr Stuart welcomed the opportunity to present the survey findings to
the inspector, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in the
Withernsea area.

The MP said: "If we are to work together to make Withernsea a better
place to live then collaborative working is essential, as is public
participation.

"I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words and the
local police require the public to report drug crimes and suspicions
they may have."

Mr Stuart said that without intelligence about drugs activity, the
police would be unable to take action.

He said: "The inspector has made it clear his aim is to ensure local
policing in Withernsea delivers not only community engagement but
more effective enforcement.

"There is a real appetite within the local police to eradicate drugs
from the streets and I urge the police, residents and the town
council to work together for the betterment of Withernsea."

Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 0845 6060 222 or
anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.