Protecting communities through robust enforcement to tackle drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour

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We run a Home Office programme called the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP).  The programme works to identify drug using offenders and help them to get treatment and the other services they need to move on from a life dominated by drugs.  This work takes place in police custody cells, in courts, during community sentences, in prisons and when people return home from prison.

We also work to reduce the supply of drugs on the streets.  Northumbria Police runs drug operations to arrest and prosecute people who deal drugs.  Information from local people and local services is very important to the police in carrying out this work.

As part of Safe Neighbourhoods, we work in wards with our partners including the Police, Neighbourhood Wardens, Neighbourhood Management, Housing Management and Ward Co-ordination. These services are ideally placed to find out about local drug related crime and anti-social behaviour and make sure work takes place to address them.  This may include:

• Organising services to do outreach work with particular groups of people.
• Quickly removing drug related litter, such as discarded injecting equipment, and working to prevent it.
• Using enforcement powers; for example, the police have the power to temporarily close premises where Class A drug use or dealing is causing a nuisance to the neighbourhood.
• Providing information about services.

Work is taking place to:

• Improve the way we work with drug using offenders and make sure we have the right services in the city to meet their needs and reduce their offending.
• Improve information available to the police so that they know more about drug supply and use in Newcastle, understand how dealers link with each other and, as a result, target drug operations where they will make the most difference.
• Make sure that drug operations run well and involve other services if needed.
• Make sure that people who work at a local level have the skills and knowledge they need to understand and address drug related problems.

If you want to report drug litter, such as needles, that you have seen in the street or in the local park, contact

If you want to report drug use or dealing in your neighbourhood contact on 03456 043 043

If you want to report drug use or dealing, without having to give your name please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111