Seven people have been arrested following a crackdown on drug dealing and criminality in Barrow.
The crackdown comes as part of Clear, Hold, Build – known locally as Happy Hopeful Hindpool – a three-step initiative developed by the Home Office to help police forces reduce serious and organized crime in communities.
Last week saw a targeted week of operations go ahead and multiple arrests made.
Officers from Barrow’s neighbourhood policing team, with the support of operational support colleagues executed two early morning warrants at addresses in and around the Hindpool area.
As a result of the warrants, two men were arrested. Both have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Five people were also arrested as a result of intelligence led stop searches and vehicle stops.
Konstantinos Kalpaxis, 28, of no fixed address, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of class A drugs following a vehicle stop on Thursday August 22. He will appear before Preston Crown court on September 25.
Other people arrested are listed as follows:
- A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (19 August as a result of the a warrant)
- A 68-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug, public order and harassment(19 August as a result of a warrant)
- An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (21 August)
- A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon (21 August)
- A 27-year old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (21 August)
- A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and a modern day slavery offence (21 August)
- A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (22 August)
A total of 25 stop searches were carried out across the week which saw cash, drugs and weapons seized.
On Thursday August 22, NPT officers also stopped a vehicle being driven by a disqualified driver and without insurance. The vehicle was seized, and the driver was reported.
The work was carried out as part of the ‘clear’ phase of the Clear, Hold, Build initiative, which sees police and partners working together to target criminals and rejuvenate the area.
Chief Inspector Natalie Jukes said: “The work carried out last week is part of our ongoing commitment to disrupt criminal activity in Hindpool as part of Clear Hold Build.
“The warrants were extensively planned and coordinated, and the teams got some great results.
“I’d like to say thank you to our colleagues from Merseyside Police who were deployed into Barrow on Wednesday August 21 to assist us with some further proactive work to tackle criminality in our communities.
“We will continue to pursue criminals in and around Hindpool using all of our available powers.
“The message is clear – if you are involved in the supply of drugs you will be caught. Drug dealing thrives by exploiting vulnerable members of our communities and it can fuel other forms of criminality such as anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
“We rely on information we receive from the public and ask anyone who suspects drug dealing is taking place in their area to report it to police so we can take action.”
