Local Priorities Drugs and related issues Concern Update

Local Priorities Drugs and related issues Concern Update

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Drugs and related issues, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

A 29-year-old man from Barton on Sea has been charged with multiple offences following reported incidents in the town in May.

Lewis Alan Paul Joy, of Knighton Park, has been charged with the following offences;

• possession of an offensive weapon in a public place
• theft of motor vehicle
• driving whilst disqualified
• using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance
• driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/public place without due care and attention
• possession of a controlled drug of Class A
• two counts of possession of a controlled drug of Class B

The charges follow the reported theft of a car on Burnleigh Gardens on Saturday 2 May and a vehicle being driven without due care and attention on Knighton Park on Friday 1 May.

Joy has been bailed to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 17 December.

The illicit drugs market is big business, worth an estimated £9.4 billion a year and drug deaths have reached an all-time. Taking the health harms, costs of crime and wider impacts on society together, it is estimated the total costs of drugs to society are over £19 billion, which is more than twice the value of the market itself.

If you are adversely affected by antisocial behaviour in your community associated with drug use, The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 outlines the flexible tools and powers that the police, local authorities and other local agencies can use to respond quickly and effectively to antisocial behaviour.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at www.hampshire.police.uk, or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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