A rise in drug offence charges in Highbury West is down to an ‘increase in proactive policing’ this year, a police inspector has said.
Since two extra police officers were introduced in November last year, the number of drug possession charges within the ward has increased from 63 in 2018 to 83 already this year.
Meanwhile, drug trafficking – the growth, production, distribution and sale of illegal substance – decreased by more than 80%, from eleven crimes recorded in 2017-2018 to only two in 2018-2019.
Despite this, drugs have remained the most complained about issue by residents on Highbury West Police’s website for every month of the past year, with the exception of August 2019.
Inspector Thomas Ashley, leader of Islington safer neighbourhoods team, told Islington Now that “there have been some excellent results thus far”.
The news comes after police seized more than £4,500 worth of Class A and B drugs in Highbury West last week, following a tip-off from a local resident.
