Case studies

Project:  HULL DRUG POLICING INITIATIVE

NDS theme:  Tackling Supply
Region:  Yorks & Humber (Hull)
Who funds it? Home Office Communities Against Drugs (CAD) funding    
Contact Name:  Max Hough, Hull & East Riding DAT/Inspector Russell
Waterman, Hull Police
Tel/email:  01482 391011  max.hough@eastriding.gov.uk

Background to the project
An innovative, high profile policing project aimed at disrupting street-level dealing in Hull and the East Riding.  The Drug Policing Initiative operates in Hull as a mobile unit that moves to a different 'hotspot' every 12 weeks and in the more rural East Riding operates as a completely mobile unit moving around the various market and coastal towns. 

The location of these police units is decided primarily by police-led intelligence with input from local multi-agency drug forums, which include teachers, council representatives, social services, youth service and police amongst others.
 
Within one week of the unit setting up in a particular location, the local community are informed and consulted via a public meeting and a leaflet drop.  Police actively target local drug dealers while arrest referral assertive outreach teams will assist users with treatment services. Youth workers will contact young people to engage them in diversionary activities and set up sustainable projects.

What makes it different
By operating in this comprehensive way the project has achieved notable success since it started in early 2002.  In its last location the Hull-based unit made 84 arrests of which 43 were drug-related. A highly mobile combination of high visibility policing, treatment work, youth work, and community consultation makes this project innovative.  The ability to target emerging and existing drug hotspots with a concerted and sustained period of activity allows police to effectively disrupt drug markets at a neighbourhood level.

Quotes
"We are able to get the support and input of local residents at an early stage - by being open and honest with them about what the Drug Policing Initiative can, and can't, achieve. The fact that we have arrest referral and youth workers as part of the team means we can look at treatment and prevention, not just stemming the supply of drugs."

Last Updated: 29/07/2003