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Operation Razorlight targets Southampton homes in drugs operation

Press Releases

Published: 25/05/2011


Teams of police officers in Southampton executed 10 simultaneous warrants across the city this morning, Wednesday, May 25, targeting those involved in the supply of Class A controlled drugs in the community.   The intelligence led operation, codenamed Operation Razorlight, involved around 150 officers and was a direct response to residents’ concerns about the level of illegal drug abuse in their neighbourhood and its associated violence and crime.  

Several suspected drugs dealers were targeted by officers in the raids which led to the arrests of six people under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the recovery of various substances and assets linked to crime and drugs supply, including stolen property.  

The raids occurred at addresses in Golden Grove, Derby Road, Cossack Green, St Mary’s Street, Anglesea Terrace, Bevois Valley Road, Ascupart Street, Charliejoy Gardens, Westridge Road and Denzil Avenue. 

Those arrested were: two 18 year old men from Middlesex, three men from Southampton aged 27, 29 and 47, plus a 47 year old Southampton woman.  All are currently being questioned by detectives.  

Operation Razorlight was executed by the police in collaboration with the Southampton Safe City Partnership and forms part of the continuing work being carried out within the city to disrupt the supply of Class A drugs by targeting those responsible for its distribution.  

Superintendent Steve France-Sargeant said: “Operation Razorlight was run as a direct response to concerns expressed by local residents.  We had received numerous calls from local residents about the impact and affect that illegal drugs and an increase in violence was having on their quality of life.  We would like to thank those residents for passing on this valuable community intelligence and would encourage more residents to speak up and help us tackle the menace associated with illegal drugs supply.  

Supt France-Sargeant added: “Because we fully understand residents concerns, we have responded in the way we have today.  Our message to residents is simple.  If you tell us about it, we can do something about it.  We would therefore encourage anyone who has information or concerns about the use of class ‘A’ controlled drugs to contact us, as it drives other criminal activity and anti-social behaviour within the community.  We would also like to send a message out to those involved in the supply of drugs.  We will hunt you down and when we suspect you are dealing drugs, you can expect us to come knocking on your door.”  

Sector Inspector Doug Ashman added: “We are focused on providing an excellent service to our community and making our neighbourhoods safer and feel safer.  We will pursue with vigour those who blight the community through crime or anti-social behaviour and have seen recorded levels of crime and disorder continually fall.   However, to keep things safe and make our neighbourhoods even safer we need the help of the residents.  I therefore encourage them to engage with their Safer Neighbourhoods officers and continually provide feedback on what we are doing well and what you think we could do better. I also encourage residents to have their say by attending local residents' meetings and tell us what we need to know.  That way we are better equipped to respond to concerns and take action as we have done today.”  

Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of Southampton City Council said:  “Operations like this show how vital it is that resident’s report crime in their neighbourhood, so that the police, the council and the rest of the Safe City Partnership can take action.  

“We will not tolerate drug dealing and organised crime in the city and encourage all residents to keep reporting any suspicious behaviour to the police, so together we can keep crime down.”  

Although the police have targeted those involved in drugs supply, they recognise that the fall out can have an adverse affect on those who are reliant upon drugs to feed their addiction.  Subsequently, the police have been working closely with the Local Authority and drugs support agencies to plan for the effects of today’s operation. It is recognised that this enforcement activity is likely to have a considerable impact upon those seeking to purchase controlled drugs locally. It enables drug treatment service providers with a good opportunity to divert habitual drug users into relevant treatment services. With the support of the Southampton Safe City Partnership, the aim is to ensure that there are adequate support services available to meet the demand of those who might be vulnerable or affected as a consequence of the disruption caused by this enforcement activity.

Anyone with information about those involved in drug dealing is encouraged to inform the police so that appropriate action can be taken.  Information should be given by phoning your local police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by leaving information anonymously on the ‘Rat on a Rat’ website: www.ratonarat.co.uk 

 


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