DRUG DEALER 'WAR' ON STREETS OF BEDFORD

Senior Policeman Speaks of "Extremely Worrying" Incidents.

A senior policeman has said rival drug dealers are fighting among
themselves on the streets of Bedford.

In an unusually frank statement from a top officer, Detective Chief
Inspector Paul Coombes admitted the drugs trade had fuelled a number
of incidents which, although rare, were still "extremely worrying".

DCI Coombes, speaking last week after the latest moves in a
crackdown against suspects codenamed Operation Metal, said: "Since
the summer we have had a few extremely worrying incidents in the
town where intelligence has suggested that guns have been seen
and there have been large and violent fights between people who are
trying to deal drugs in our area.

"We want to keep these incidents out of the town and the county.
They are something which has been very rarely seen in Bedford up
until now and we intend to keep it that way.

"The combination of lethal weapons and drugs is obviously a
dangerous one, which is why we're tackling them together with this operation."

DCI Coombes did not specify which "incidents" he was referring to,
but in recent months Bedford has seen:

A man dragged from a green Fiat Punto on the town bridge in rush
hour traffic on September 25. He was pulled out of his vehicle and
assaulted by a group of around eight men, with metal bars, fists and
feet, who had emerged from Nando's restaurant. The victim was taken
to hospital for treatment to minor head injuries, but discharged
himself later the same day after refusing to make a statement to the police.

One week earlier, a man had been seen leaning into a green Fiat
Punto, talking to its two occupants. The car then drove down
Alexandra Road, taking the victim with it. He hit three other
vehicles before falling to the ground, but escaped with only minor
facial injuries.

On July 28, a string of witnesses called police to report gunfire in
Elstow Road. A group of young black men travelling in two to four
cars was seen arguing in the street. The cars sped off and stopped
in heavy traffic near Bedford College, where other witnesses said
they got out to continue their row and apparently threaten one
another. A passer-by reported seeing a gun, and another claimed to
have heard a weapon being fired again.

Reported gunfire during an incident in Tavistock Street.

DCI Coombes said the force was using "knife arches" at train
stations to prevent people travelling into the area with weapons.

He added: "I anticipate that because of the impact we are having on
drug dealers at the moment, drug users may find it more difficult to
find a reliable supply and may well seek help to treat their addiction.

"That is something that we clearly welcome and have been liaising
closely with Bedfordshire Drug Action Team and local drug treatment
providers to ensure help is there for people when they need it.

"Most acquisitive crime can be linked to drug misuse aE" it's not
just about violence on the streets. Most burglaries and thefts from
vehicles are a result of drug users needing to fund their habit."

Anyone with information about drugs can contact Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555111.