Dozens arrested in drive to curb crime

Crack cocaine was among the drugs seized

Police in Ipswich have arrested 150 people and recovered thousands of pounds worth of drugs in a special operation to combat rising crime in the town.

The intelligence-led Operation Enterprise was launched in June because of a significant increase in class A drug crime, including dealing, burglary and vehicle crime.

"Operation Enterprise has been very successful from our point of view," said Detective Chief Inspector David Cole, of Suffolk Police.

"We commenced on 9 June and focused our attention on 88 core offenders."

Of those 82 have been arrested.

He said a growing problem, not limited to Suffolk, was major drugs dealers expanding their operations into rural communities.

Persistent offenders

Crack cocaine was among the drugs with a value of £6,500 recovered during the operation as well as stolen goods worth £15,000.

Before the operation began police sent letters to persistent offenders after a huge surge in burglaries in April and May this year.

They also wrote to people asking for information to catch thieves and drug dealers.

Close co-operation with other police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, has also helped.

Police are urging people to mark their property so they can get it back if it is stolen.

Police are working with other agencies as well to tackle the root causes of crime.

Carey Godfrey, of Suffolk Drug Action Team, said an integrated approach to deal with the problem of drug abuse is vital.