£2000 worth of cannabis and related compounds has been seized in a raid by Finsbury Park Police. The raid last Wednesday was swiftly followed by a separate arrest in the area on 22 November for possession with intent to supply.
The local force shared news of the raid on Twitter, stating: “We will continue to try our hardest to disrupt drug crime #SayNoToDrugs”
Stop and Search | Your #FinsburyPark Safer Neighbourhood officers arrested a male for possession with intent to supply over the weekend ?
If you have information around similar behaviour in your area, contact your local team by visiting https://t.co/NXHhcg1hVj pic.twitter.com/FY8APBYFNF
— Islington Police (@MPSIslington) November 23, 2020
Open drug use and dealing in Finsbury Park itself has also been acknowledged by the police. Radwan, 19, has lived in Finsbury Park for most of his life. “Drug dealings are very common, especially in the park itself. It’s not pleasant to see.”
Despite this, Radwan has mixed feelings about the good that will come of more police on our streets: “Even though they increased their presence, people just find new places to do what they were doing. But it does make me feel safer walking where there are officers.”
Last month, the Office for National Statistics revealed a 43% rise in drug offences in London between April and June this year. The Met’s use of stop and search also surged during lockdown, with 69% of these being drug related.
Islington Police has sharpened their support of Finsbury Park since the summer with an increased police presence around the station. Radwan believes crime in his local area is rising: “I have seen a sharp rise in gang crime, I’ve been victim to three robberies myself.”
