Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner is investing in a successful crime-busting project from this year.
The PCC has invested £125,000-worth of funding in Project ADDER for 2023-24 to make sure the police enforcement element of ADDER continues.
ADDER – which aims to cut drug-related crime and deaths in Middlesbrough. – was previously supported by the Home Office.
However, the PCC has stepped in to match fund the project to make sure the successful scheme continues.
Last year (2022-23), the police enforcement element of ADDER:
- Made a total of 504 arrests
- Seized 500 weapons including knives and firearms
- Carried out 66 disruptions against organised crime groups
- Made 1,527 seizures of illegal drugs.
The PCC’s £125,000 contribution this year will be matched by £375,000 from the Home Office.
Next year, the PCC’s contribution will rise to £250,000 – the same amount as the Home Office.
The heart of the problem
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner is also the Senior Responsible Officer for Cleveland’s Combatting Drugs Partnership.
He said: “This has been a really successful project and we want it to continue. It gets to the heart of the drugs’ problem – and drug supply – in Middlesbrough. I am delighted to provide further funding.”
Middlesbrough was one of only four pilot areas to share in £28.3m-worth of Government funding.
Support worth £1.325m over three years enabled Cleveland Police and partner agencies to test a new approach to disrupting drug supply.
Project ADDER carries out major, long-term disruption to high harm criminals and networks involved in the supply of drugs and firearms.
Coordinated law enforcement runs alongside expanded diversionary activities as well as treatment and recovery.
Over the past three years, officers have carried out a number of enforcement actions with work, focussing on crime hotspots. The project has dedicated themes such as the illegal supply of prescription-only drugs.
Acting Chief Inspector Nick See said: “Project ADDER has built some fantastic relationships with partner agencies and their continued support is fundamental to the success of the project.
“We are looking forward to continuing our work together to ensure we deliver on the main aims of Project ADDER.
“Whilst we remain committed to tackling the supply of illegal substances and those who seek to benefit from it, enforcement is only one element of the project.
“We also recognise that those using drugs will need support so that they can be diverted away from the criminal justice system and down an alternative path.”