Operation Constantine

36 homes across the Bradford district were initially raided under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Officers pinned notices to the doors of the properties to say West Yorkshire Police would be applying to magistrates to shut all the addresses for three months.

25 people were initially arrested and all of them have been seen by a Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) worker. Anyone with drugs issues has been offered a place on the Drugs Interventions Programme (DIP) to divert them away from their habits and a life of crime. The operation is ongoing.

Alan Dalton, Chair of the Drugs Interventions Programme (DIP) for the Bradford district said: “This operation isn’t just about tackling the symptoms of the misery that drugs impact on our communities but the root cause. There would be little point in evicting people from their homes if we didn’t then help them turn away from these chaotic lifestyles. It is a vicious circle of taking drugs, offending to make more money to buy drugs, taking them again and so on.

Supt David Oldroyd, speaking on behalf of Bradford Police said: “When we carried out our first operation under this initiative in August, 15 homes were closed down. This time we’ve raided 36. We are going to keep on going until this kind of chaotic behaviour stops.”

Ian Simpson, Executive Director of West City Community Housing Trust –which owns some of the properties said: “We fully support this police operation and are pleased it went so well..we will not stand by as the actions of a small minority bring distress and misery to the law-abiding majority in our communities. We will continue to work closely with residents, the police, Bradford Council and other partners to create safe and secure neighbourhoods.”

DIP forms part of the National Drug Strategy, which aims to break the links between crime and drugs. The programme brings together agencies from across the criminal justice system to identify prolific drug users. Once identified, their needs are evaluated by outreach workers and they may be offered treatment. Whilst accessing treatment, DIP provides support throughout the process to ensure as few people as possible return to a life of crime.

Carl Normington, 31, who has successfully completed the Drugs Intervention Programme said: “Taking part in the DIP programme has changed my life. I’m not stuck in a vicious circle of going out and committing crime so I can buy drugs anymore. Before that was all I ever thought about. All my life was about was using drugs, drinking and committing crime.

As I made my way through the programme it felt like more and more weight was being taken off my shoulders. At last I could see clearly. And I haven’t looked back since. I am now doing an NVQ 2 in catering and food preparation and do voluntary work at the ripple project.