Drugs have been removed from the streets of the New Forest as part of a national week of intensification to tackle drug supply and related high harm.

Officers from across our district have been targeting those individuals responsible for supplying drugs in our area, including any who may be travelling from large cities further afield, such as London.

On Monday 25 November, officers executed a proactive Section. 23 Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at an address on New Road, Blackfield.

The operation resulted in one arrest and the seizure of approximately 200 cannabis plants.

The arrested man - a 21-year-old man from Southampton – was subsequently charged with abstract/use without authority electricity and produce a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis.

Long Vo, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 26 November.

He will be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday 17 December.

Involved in the warrant were officers from Waterside Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team (NET) and New Forest Priority Crime Team (PCT).

Following the operation, Sergeant Andy Gwyer, of the New Forest Priority Crime Team, said: “We acted upon intelligence received, and we will continue to respond to information shared with us, wherever possible.

“Please continue to keep us updated on any suspected criminality in the Waterside area, so we can keep carrying out proactive operations such as this one.”

On the importance of the public’s assistance, Sergeant Gwyer, said: “We will always look to tackle drug-related activity in our communities, but we can only do so with the support and information of those who live in the affected areas.

“As our eyes and ears on the ground, please continue to let us know about activity in the areas in which you live, so we can continue to be relentless in our pursuit of suspected criminals.

“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 suspected criminals causing the most harm to our communities."

On Tuesday 26 November, a 27-year-old man from Lymington was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of Class B. Mobile phones and suspected Class A drugs were also seized.

Involved in the arrest and follow-up work were officers from Lymington NPT, New Milton NPT and Lyndhurst District Policing Team (DPT).

The arrested man has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

On the same day, a cannabis factory was located at an address on Romsey Road, Copythorne. Approximately 500 plants were seized.

Involved in that operation were officers from the Roads Policing Unit, Lyndhurst DPT, the Crime Scene Investigation department, Totton NPT, New Forest Heart NPT, Waterside NPT and the dog section.

Then, on Sunday 1 December, an operation in Ringwood led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man on Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

The man, from Ringwood, was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit. He has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Officers from Ringwood NPT, Fordingbridge NPT and RPU were all involved in the operation.

Reflecting on the week of action, New Forest District Commander, Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, said: “I will continue to ensure that our officers focus on reducing drug-related harm in our communities.

“Whether that be through warrants or other operations, we will do everything we can to protect our communities and keep people safe from harm.

“Please keep us informed of what is happening where you live. Your information is vital to us. If you have any details about drug-related activity in your neighbourhood, please contact us on 101, or report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, always calling 999 in an emergency.”

“Please keep us informed of what is happening where you live. Your information is vital to us. If you have any details about drug-related activity in your neighbourhood, please contact us on 101, or report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, always calling 999 in an emergency.”

Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

County Lines means to deal drugs using mobile phones, usually from large cities to towns and rural areas in the UK. Line holders will use runners, often young and vulnerable children, to deliver the drugs. It’s linked to some of the most serious and violent crimes such as human trafficking, modern slavery, and child exploitation.

Advice and support:

• Crimestoppers – An independent charity, which offers a range of advice and support. Crimes can be reported completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• Missing People’s SafeCall – a confidential and anonymous helpline and support service for young people and family members in England and Wales that are affected by county lines and criminal exploitation. The service also provides confidential support and advice for professionals in relation to their work with an exploited young person or family. Call or text 116000 for free, 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week.

• Barnardo’s Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service - provides an independent source of advice and advocacy for children who have been trafficked and somebody who can speak up on their behalf.

• NSPCC – provides advice on how to spot the signs and report child exploitation and involvement in gangs.

• The Children’s Society – a national charity, which aims to protect and support young people from a range of issues, including child exploitation, criminal gangs and violence.

If you have any information or are concerned about someone then you should call the police on 101 to make a report or 999 if there is an immediate risk. If on a train text British Transport Police on 61016.