COUNTY'S NEW CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS

POLICE in Suffolk will today unveil their latest weapon in the fight
against drugs a " two detection dogs.

The passive drugs dogs, which are trained to detect the smell of a wide
range of illegal substances, are among the new strategies to be launched by
the force.

The labrador dogs will be used to wander through crowds to detect anyone
who has been in contact with an illegal drug by quietly sitting in front of
them.

It is hoped the dogs, which have been funded by the county's seven crime
and disorder partnerships, will help disrupt and reduce the supply of drugs
in Suffolk.

Chief Inspector Mark Cordell, head of community safety for Suffolk police,
said: "We want people in Suffolk to be aware of these dogs and what they
can do.

"We are extremely grateful for the support given to the dog section by the
crime and disorder reduction partnerships and hope to be able to
demonstrate the successes of the scheme in the near future."

The new police strategies have been drawn up following an audit of crime
and disorder in districts across the county.

The county's crime and disorder partnerships a " involving Babergh, Forest
Heath, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, St Edmundsbury, Suffolk Coastal and Waveney
councils a " have produced detailed action plans on how to meet targets.

Initiatives include a plan by Babergh to install a new closed circuit
television link with Sudbury Police Station to help reduce anti-social
behaviour and criminal damage in the town centre.

Forest Heath has outlined a AUKP180,000 scheme for closed circuit
television cameras in Brandon and plans to expand facilities at the town's
Flowerpot youth drop-in centre.

Ipswich crime and disorder partnership has set up a weapons amnesty
throughout July and is hoping to spend AUKP150,000 on modernising the
closed circuit television system control room and seven other town centre
cameras.

Tom Griffin, chief executive of Suffolk Coastal District Council, said:
"Suffolk is one of the safest counties in the country with relatively low
crime rates, but there is still work to be done to make it even safer."

n Suffolk police are offering AUKP50-worth of record vouchers to the person
who can come up with a name for the two drugs detection dogs.

Entries should be sent, along with an address and contact number, to Julie
Dennis, Community Safety Unit, Suffolk Police Headquarters, Martlesham
Heath, Ipswich, IP5 3QS, by fax to 01473 613998 or by e-mail to
julie.dennis@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

All entries must be received by July 31 and the winner will be notified in
writing.