Police from Barwon Local Area Command have thanked the community for their ongoing support during the recent ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign, NSW Police say.
The Commonwealth-funded campaign is currently being conducted in States and Territories across Australia.
While members of the public are urged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers; ‘Dob in a Dealer’ is targeting the manufacture, supply and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine) in the community.
‘Dob in a Dealer’ was promoted across Barwon Local Area Command between Monday 2 May 2016 and Sunday 15 May 2016.
Police and Crime Stoppers conducted intensive community-engagement activities at locations across the command, encouraging members of the public to report information about prohibited drugs.
During the two weeks of the campaign, Crime Stoppers received a number of community information reports relating to possible drug activity within the Barwon area.
Barwon Local Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Paul McDonald, thanked the community for getting behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.
"We’ve had a really positive response from the local community and I thank each and every one of you for supporting the campaign and helping us stem the spread of these dangerous substances," Det Supt McDonald said.
"Our officers have been out and about throughout the campaign and Crime Stoppers have received several Information Reports from local residents, which is tremendous to see.
"In fact, on the first day of the campaign we received a tip-off that led to a search warrant being executed at a Moree property," Det Supt McDonald said.
"During the search our officers discovered and seized prohibited drugs, drug paraphernalia and property believed to have been stolen during a separate incident. It goes to show every call can make a difference.
"While the support has been fantastic, I urge people in the community to keep the calls coming in and we will continue to seek out those manufacturing and distributing ‘ice’ in our neighbourhoods," Det Supt McDonald said.
"These substances are not only illegal, but they can be incredibly harmful to your health – even fatal – so there’s no place for them in our community."
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within Barwon Local Area Command can still report information confidentially and anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
"While the campaign has come to a close in Barwon LAC, the issue of illegal drugs has not – and we urge the community to continue reporting drug-dealing or drug-manufacturing activity to Crime Stoppers," Mr Price said.
"We're calling on members of the public to step up and stamp out 'ice' in their community – together we can affect real change.
"Making a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential. You will never be identified or be compelled to participate for a court case, but every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce drug supply," Mr Price said.
In NSW, the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is being held in 21 metropolitan and regional local area commands over a six-month period between March and September 2016.
The campaign runs in each command for two weeks, during which local officers and Crime Stoppers representatives host a number of activities to inform local residents of how they can take part and show their support.
Please find below a schedule of the Local Area Commands involved in the campaign, including their proposed start dates.
‘Dob in a Dealer’ Community Engagement Calendar
14 March 2016: Redfern
21 March 2016: Orana
28 March 2016: Sydney City
11 April 2016: Castlereagh
11 April 2016: Liverpool
26 April 2016: Campbelltown
2 May 2016: Barwon
9 May 2016: Wollongong
23 May 2016: Richmond
30 May 2016: Shoalhaven
13 June2016: Tweed/Byron
20 June 2016: The Hume
4 July 2016: Coffs/Clarence
11 July 2016: Albury
18 July 2016: Mid North Coast
1 August2016: Wagga Wagga
8 August 2016: Oxley
22 August 2016: Griffith
29 August 2016: Newcastle City
12 September 2016: Canobolas
19 September 2016: Blacktown
Crime Stoppers is focused on gathering information to stop the supply and manufacture of drugs. If you or someone you know is affected by drug use or addiction, please contact support services such as the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (02) 9361 8000.
