Drug raids, road checks and criminals being targeted in Aberdeen.

Over the past two days, the public will have seen high profile police activity with operations ranging from drugs raids, road checks, licensed premises being inspected and criminals being targeted.

A multi-agency operation aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour, drug use and its associated harm in our communities has been ongoing in Aberdeen City Centre.

The operation is also focusing on how best to protect and support the most vulnerable members in our communities.

The operation is being run in close liaison with our partner agencies, such as Aberdeen City Council, British Transport Police, Turning Point Scotland and Alcohol and Drugs Action (Aberdeen).  It included welfare visits to vulnerable people, community outreach programmes, enforcement action and high visibility patrols around the city centre.

More than 2,000 addresses were visited by officers with community safety leaflet drops made in areas affected by drug and antisocial behaviour related harm.

Up to 136 outreach visits were conducted with support being provided for substance dependency, housing issues and cost of living support. More than 100 positive interactions were achieved through the ‘outreach pod’ where the focus was on raising awareness around exploitation, county lines and stigma attached to drug dependency.

A number of search warrants were carried out resulting in drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis being seized. The estimated street value of those seized is around £22,960. Officers also seized more than £11,000 in cash. Each of the individuals involved were offered support by dedicated enforcement support teams.

British Transport Police and Police Scotland patrols were carried out at Aberdeen Railway and Aberdeen Bus Stations with a number of people being found in possession of controlled drugs.

Additionally, 143 trains and 33 buses were checked in and out of the respective stations. A 22-year-old man was arrested on an outstanding warrant. A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged in possession of an offensive weapon after being stopped by officers at Aberdeen Railway Station.

This partnership approach balances the need for enforcement with a specific focus on support and help for those affected by criminality and drug use. The aim is to reduce the risk factors and challenges affecting our local communities and in particular, those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.

Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “We all recognise that enforcement alone is not the solution to tackling the issues around drug related harm. That is why it is so important we come together to work out the most effective intervention. This work is about people who may need support with addiction, it’s about vulnerable people who need protecting from those who would exploit them. The best way of achieving this is by working in collaboration and offering people the right help, the most appropriate advice and support before their life spirals out of control.”

Turning Point Scotland Aberdeen Service Manager Lynsey Blaney said: ‘‘Turning Point Scotland work regularly in partnership with Police Scotland, with this operation enabling staff from our Assertive Outreach Drug Related Death Prevention and Aberdeen Outreach Housing Support teams to actively engage with members of the community who require urgent support.

‘‘Our staff were part of targeted efforts to reduce drug related harm through the provision of information and advice, Naloxone distribution and referrals to structured support services appropriate to the needs identified. “We look forward to continuing to work in partnership alongside Police Scotland and partner organisations in the future.”

Detective Inspector Brian Buddo from British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce, said: “The results from this intelligence-led operation are testament to the effective joint working between us and our colleagues in Scotland. The arrests and seizures made should serve as a stark warning to county lines offenders – our plain clothes teams will catch you and put you before the courts.

“As well as intercepting harmful drugs before they reach our communities, a key priority of ours is to identify and safeguard children exploited in this crime type to courier drugs via the railway. Across the days of intensive activity spanning the entirety of England and Scotland, we made a number of crucial safeguarding interventions.”