Blackpool Police celebrate huge results from drug tackling project

Police officers and staff from the dedicated Project ADDER team recently got together with Blackpool Council, health services and youth support groups to celebrate the success of the launch of the project in Blackpool.

The project, which stands for Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery, has been running since January 2021 and focuses on working in partnership to address the root causes of drugs misuse and break down supply chains.

The programme involves coordinated law enforcement activity together with expended diversionary programmes, treatment and recovery services. This is in addition to existing work and will ensure people in need of help can access support.

From January 2021 to September 2022, 103 arrests and 108 charges have been made within the Blackpool area in relation to Project ADDER.

£300,000 worth of drugs and £58,000 of cash have been seized, along with nine vehicles, 135 mobile phones and 21 weapons.

103 multi-agency cuckooing interventions have been made through Operation Fosston, a multi-agency response to criminal gangs targeting vulnerable members of the community to facilitate exploitation.

14 people were also arrested in connection with drugs offences after strikes under the name Operation Banshee, a dedicated operation focused on a Greater Manchester based county line supplying Class A drugs in Blackpool.

Detective Superintendent Becky Smith said: “Project ADDER has changed the lives of so many people in Blackpool, and the whole team agree that it has been one of the most rewarding projects that we have worked on.

“We have worked really hard as a partnership in Blackpool to get the most out of this unique opportunity and the results show that. Having a dedicated team of officers working alongside practitioners from partner agencies allows for offenders to be put to justice and victims to receive the support they deserve.”

You can report any information to us by calling 101, reporting online via our website, calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or calling 999 in emergencies.