S.Wales Evening Post - 25 August 2008
SWANSEA is losing the war on drugs according to one of the city's senior police officers.
The frank admission comes as parts of Swansea are gripped by a burglary crimewave — fuelled they say by drug users desperate for cash.
The admission comes despite the arrest of three people which police say took £10,00 worth of heroin off the city's streets.
Acting Superintendent Peter Azzopardi told the Post: "Despite all the work that is being carried out, there is little evidence to suggest that demand for class A drugs has reduced or that we are making any significant impact upon the availability of drugs within Swansea."
The latest police success thwarted up to 1,000 £10 heroin deals from being peddled on city streets.
Police believe a massive spate of burglaries across the city is being fuelled by heroin addicts driven to feed their habit.
The city suffered 120 burglaries during July, and August is looking even worse, with police estimating there will be another 140 during the whole of the month.
The shocking figures have seen police appealing to the public to beware of burglars.
Some areas have suffered a massive 100 per cent increase in the number of criminal raids on homes.
The police target figure for dwelling burglaries is about 110 per month.
During the months of April, May and June this year there was an average of about 90 per month. The figure shot up to 120 in July and the prediction for August is 140.
Acting Superintendent Peter Azzopardi said: "We have had increases such as this over the years and we know that the majority of dwelling burglaries are carried out by individuals with a heavy dependence upon drugs, primarily heroin.
"We are working to identify who the individuals carrying out these burglaries are, but require the assistance of the public, one to secure their homes to make it less easy for property to be stolen, particularly vehicles which are then utilised for additional crime such as ram raids, thefts from motor vehicles, theft of petrol and so on."
Police in Swansea have increased enforcement activity in an effort to thwart the spread of killer drugs.
Last month alone there were 26 non-fatal drug overdoses and one fatal overdose.
But there have been some police successes. On Thursday last week (AUG 21), three people were arrested as a result of which 2.5oz of heroin was recovered.
Police said the arrests meant they had halted up to 1,000 £10 heroin deals on the streets of Swansea.
It is just one of a number of seizures being made on a regular basis.
Mr Azzopardi said that a huge amount of work was being carried out by Swansea's police.
But he admitted that it does not seem as though the hard work has seen the demand or supply of drugs in Swansea drop.
Mr Azzopardi added: "This is a social issue which society and Government are still trying to get to grips with."
