In response to growing public concern in Midsomer Norton at the level of visible drug dealing activity on the streets of the town, local B&NES Councillors are launching a campaign to get as many local residents as possible to report what they are seeing.

“A key issue is that people don’t think it is worth reporting what they see, or feel that it takes too long ringing 101 and are not convinced that anyone will do anything,” says Cllr Paul Myers, B&NES Councillor for Midsomer

Norton Redfield.

“Again and again local residents tell me that they have had enough. But unless information is reported, the Police will continue to lack the vital evidence they need to get the necessary authority from a Magistrate to search a premises or to be on the ground in the right place at the right time to stop and search.

“We have spoken with the Police, and they are supportive of an initiative to improve the flow of information. We are therefore asking local residents to report what they see. We believe that by working together as a community, we can give a clear message to the drug dealers that they are not welcome in the area.”

Recognising that most people would prefer to give information anonymously, the organisers are recommending that anyone with information contacts CrimeStoppers UK. Visit: www.crimestoppers-uk.

org and submit information online using a form or ring: 0800 555111. The service is unique and designed to protect your identity – you remain anonymous because you will not be asked to reveal your name or any personal details; calls are not recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

If you see individuals exchanging money and what looks like drugs on the street, then the Police need a simple description of the activity, the location, date and time you saw it. If cars are involved, try and get registration numbers.

Once submitted, reports are forwarded from CrimeStoppers to the local Police, and it is then possible for them to build up a much better picture of local drug-related activity.

“Midsomer Norton is not alone in facing increased drug related activity – it’s happening in similar market towns and villages now all over the country (see Writhlington report on Page 19).

“When reporting information through CrimeStoppers, it is important to acknowledge that a police car is not necessarily going to be despatched immediately.

“What we want to do is to combat the problem we are facing by working together over the coming months as a community. If you see something suspicious, it is really important not to take the law into your own hands, and if you face an emergency situation, you should still ring 999 as usual,” adds Cllr Chris Watt, B&NES Midsomer Norton Redfield.

For individuals whose lives have become involved in substance misuse related issues and/or their families and friends, help and support is available through DHi. They provide a youth and adult substance misuse service designed to help people to make the connections that allow them to overcome their unhealthy relationship with drugs and/or alcohol. Whether people are preparing to make changes, building their recovery or wanting to prevent relapses, DHi provide free and confidential help and can be contacted at: www.dhi-online.org.uk or ring: 01761 419086.

As the organisers put up posters around Midsomer Norton to promote the ‘Enough IS Enough – Report it’ campaign, they are also looking for coordinators in other towns and villages around the Somer Valley to help.