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Zero tolerance on drug dealing

Drug dealing has a corrosive effect on our communities.It causes a great deal of distress to the many people who deserve a safe environment to live in. That’s why we’ve a zero tolerance policy on drug dealing on our estates.

The message is clear: victims, we’ll support you. Offenders, we’re coming after you. Sharon Naughton, our Principal Neighbourhood Safety Manager, explains: “We’re sending out a strong message to those dealing drugs.

 “We’ve a responsibility to prevent crime and we’ve a duty to our communities. So we’ll take strong action against any offenders – whether they’re tenants or anyone else operating in our neighbourhoods. We’ve forged a strong partnership with the police and share intelligence to help them carry out undercover operations. We’ve even secured injunctions on the back of hearsay evidence.”

The approach is proving effective. For example, with the support of Greater Manchester Police, we recently secured a 12-month injunction against local dealer Dean Goodwin to ban him from part of the town for a year. Sharon explains: “Dean had been living in one of our properties on Cawdor Court without being a registered tenant. We had numerous reports and complaints about his drug dealing activities from local residents. They worked with us to put a stop to it. Thanks to their help, police were able to arrest and charge Goodwin with supplying class-A drugs. As a result, we were able to take out an injunction to put an end to the nuisance this was  causing to residents.” 

The injunction prevents Dean from visiting the address in Cawdor Court for the next 12 months. He faces arrest and a possible custodial sentence if he enters the area of Cawdor Court and Campbell Court estate in Farnworth. Sharon continues: 

"We’ll not tolerate drug dealing or criminal behaviour of any sort and we encourage anyone who’s a witness to report it to us quickly. “Keeping diary sheets - detailing what you see and hear, and where and when - allows us to take action fast. 

We treat all information in the strictest confidence and we can present this evidence in court on your behalf. “If you’re affected by drug dealing where you live, please don’t suffer in silence.”

If you're a victim of or witness to antisocial behaviour phone us on 01204 328000, or the police on 101 and 999 in an emergency.

Click here to see more information on how we are tackling antisocial behaviour.