Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 11:04am

We're coming to get you...

by Hamish Hutchinson

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Police move in to search a property.

COMMUNITY police officers in the Wee County have led the fight against drug dealers, recovering hundreds of pounds worth of drugs and a firearm during raids in Tullibody and Tillicoultry last Wednesday.

The raids in Dovecot Road, The Braes, Old School Court and Main Street came about after members of the public shared information with their community cops on suspected drug dealing in their area.

The operation, which targeted low-level heroin dealers, was led by Community Constables Ally Goldie and Cathy Sharkey. The raids uncovered a small amount of cannabis resin, heroin worth £700, over £1600 in cash, a firearm and ammunition, which was found separately, and a stolen handbag.

Sergeant Craig Rankine told the Advertsier that community support was vital in taking the blight of drugs off the Wee County's streets.

He said, "Today's operation was definitely a success. Along with the support of the community wardens, we succeeded in dispersing the network of drugs, provided the public with reassurance and demonstrated that we are listening to their concerns and responding as necessary.

"Whilst the recovery of the drugs is important, it is not the be all and end all, and what we recovered today - not least taking a firearm off the streets - is a fantastic result. We've removed a weapon capable of causing danger and harm.

"What this also demonstrates is the knock-on effect of people dealing in a street.

"There are people coming and going at all times of the day and night and the fact is that this attracts people to stealing to feed a habit. The handbag we found at Old School Court demonstrates this, my suspicions being that it was swapped for a controlled drug."

He went on, "The community is vital and we couldn't do it without them. If we were not out engaging with them, speaking to them and listening to their concerns, operations like this would never happen.

"It can take a bit of time to build up information, but we would ask people not to let this discourage them from talking to us."

The operation involved the support of community wardens who handed out leaflets and spoke to local residents during the raids to reassure them and let them know what was happening.

Cathy Sharky, community constable for Tullibody, said, "It's about letting the community know that we are tackling the problems they are telling me about.

"In the time I have been here I have been told that drugs are a big problem and as far as the residents are concerned. Its about taking ownership of their community.

"It is also important to let the community know we are taking on board their problems and solving them for them.

"It is really about listening to the community and letting drug dealers know we know who they are and that will act on the information we are given."

The raids last Wednesday were the culmination of significant work carried out by community officers in Clackmannanshire with community constables and wardens responsible for detecting 15 crimes, including break-ins to sheds, further supply of drugs, theft and an individual responsible for wasting police time.

Last Monday community traffic wardens spotted boys trying to break into vehicles in an Alloa car park and reported this to police officers.

Later that same day a house in Alloa was searched and over £3000 worth of drugs were found.

Two women, aged 43 and 23, appeared from custody in Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday in connection with drug offences, and a 57-year-old man is due to be reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the cannabis resin recovered.