Drugs, cash and luxury watches seized during dawn raids in Hythe and Ringwood

This week, officers in the New Forest have sent out another clear message that drug-related activity will not be tolerated in our communities.

Just before 8am on Wednesday (7 February), a Section. 23 Misuse of Drugs Act warrant was executed at an address in Ashford Crescent, Hythe.After forcing entry to the property, several items were seized, including Class B drugs, traces of a suspected Class A drug and nitrous oxide canisters.

A 42-year-old woman from Hythe was subsequently issued with a Community Resolution for the possession of cannabis.

Involved in yesterday’s operation were officers from Waterside Neighbourhood Policing Team and Lyndhurst District Policing Team, along with Method of Entry officers and a dog handler and police dog.

Officers then made an early start in Ringwood yesterday morning (Thursday 8 February).

This time, a Section. 8 Police And Criminal Evidence Act warrant was carried out an address in Southampton Road.

The Neighbourhood Enforcement Team forced entry to the property, before a 48-year-old man from Ringwood was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

He has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Class A and B drugs, along with a quantity of cash, luxury watches, mobile phones and a baseball bat, were all seized.

Following the early-morning call-on, Dedicated Neighbourhood Officer, PC Ian Bigland, of the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“We have acted on intelligence that the public have provided us and will action information wherever possible.

“Please continue to keep us updated with criminality known to you in Ringwood so we can execute some early morning warrants.”

Reflecting on both operations, New Forest Inspector, Darren Ord said: “We will continue to tackle drug-related activity across the New Forest, but we can only do so with the support and information from our communities.

As the eyes and ears on the ground, please continue to let us know about activity in the area in which you live.

The more information you share with us, the more we can develop this, and the more action we can take, including the execution of warrants and the targeting of criminals causing the most harm to our communities."

Anyone who has any information about drug dealing in their neighbourhood can contact us on 101, or report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, always calling 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

How to tell us about an existing case or report | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)