Operation Protector activity conducted in Aberdeen
Police and partner agencies in Aberdeen have carried out two days of activity aimed at reducing and addressing drug related harm in the city.
Operation Protector, a partnership made up of representatives from police, Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, British Transport Police, Alcohol & Drugs Action and Turning Point Scotland, is designed to provide sustained support to people with a drug dependency with a view to reducing associated risks, while also taking positive enforcement action against those who exploit vulnerable people through the supply of drugs and negatively affect our communities.
On 26 and 27 April 2023, 120 staff from the Operation Protector Partnership carried out two days of focussed work in Aberdeen City.
Over the two days, 164 outreach visits were conducted to individuals identified as being at risk of drug related harm, which included those at risk of overdose, substance dependency, cuckooing and exploitation. A number of these individuals were provided with crucial support and assistance in relation to a number of matters concerning substance dependency, housing and cost of living concerns.
Dedicated support hubs were set up in the City Centre and George Street offering advice and support to those with drug and alcohol dependencies, their friends and families. Additionally, dedicated Police and Local Authority Community Safety Teams conducted high visibility patrols of areas affected by drug related harm and anti-social behaviour, engaging and listening to concerns raised by members of these communities.
During enforcement, five drug search warrants were executed resulting in the recovery of a quantity of cash and the tracing and safeguarding of a missing teenager from the Leeds area and linked to county lines exploitation.
Inspector Claire Smith from Partnerships, Preventions & Interventions for North East Division said: “Operation Protector continues to allow police and partners to focus on drug related harm and the need for effective intervention and outreach to those most vulnerable in our communities to ensure they are supported and not unnecessarily criminalised.
“We will continue to take action to stem the supply of controlled drugs into the North East however this partnership allows for the immediate offer of support to complement the traditional police approach, ensuring the vulnerable are protected.”
Lynsey Blaney, service manager at Turning Point Scotland, said: “Turning Point Scotland work regularly in partnership with Police Scotland and the other partners involved in Operation Protector.
“This partnership allows for our staff from the Assertive Outreach Drug Related Death Prevention and Aberdeen Outreach Housing Support Team to work with our partners to bring the offer of support to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“It also brings an encouraging and sustained focus around support provision and a great opportunity for continued inter-agency working with some clear goals to reduce drug related harm.”
Detective Inspector Andy Machray, from the North East Proactive CID, added: “Thanks to the continued support from our communities, we have taken positive action in Aberdeen City to disrupt those who are involved in the supply of drugs on our streets and safeguard those who are vulnerable.
“We will continue to work in conjunction with Operation Protector to take action against those involved in drug supply in exploitation, while ensuring that where enforcement is undertaken every opportunity to support vulnerable people involved is taken.”
If you or anyone you know are effected by drug related harm, support and assistance are available to you by calling 0333 3 448 355 (Alcohol & Drugs Action).
If you live in Aberdeenshire or Moray, support is also available by calling 0333 3 448 355 (Alcohol & Drugs Action - Aberdeenshire) or 01343 610500 (Arrows, Moray).
If you are at risk or are being forced to sell controlled drugs, please call 101 or in an emergency call 999.
