A new campaign to ‘stop the harm’ caused by drugs gangs in the North West has been launched and Crimestoppers is appealing to the public to report any information they have on those involved in the supply of narcotics.

Crimestoppers, a charity, says that drug sales fuel many other serious crimes such as shootings, stabbings, county lines, debt bondage, exploitation of young people, sexual exploitation and modern slavery.

And that criminals do not care who they exploit or the violence and damage caused in the communities – while destroying lives “pursuing vast profits”.

READ MORE: Bolton women call for action on tackling drugs in the area

Man dealt drugs from Super Pound Store in Halliwell

Crimestoppers say that the key to making the North West safer places to live and work is to help prevent their activities by passing on information completely anonymously to the charity which will pass it on so that law enforcement can act.

Detailed anonymous community intelligence that Crimestoppers receives – either online anonymously or via the phone - disrupts gang activity and keeps our streets and communities safe.

Your information can help save lives and make your area safer for you and your family.

The charity has put together some questions to prompt the public and hopefully encourage them to report what they see or hear: • Who runs the local drugs trade? • Which premises are regularly used for drug dealing?

• What are the names of those members of serious crime gangs in the area?

• Are they living a lavish lifestyle but not working?

• Do you know or suspect which `cash only’ businesses might be money laundering?

• How do they recruit those who are being exploited?

• Do you have concerns about individuals whose homes have been taken over by drug dealers?

Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Sadly, over the last 12 months we have seen many lives lost and families devasted because of the violence associated with drug crime. You can help stop the harm caused by drug gangs operating across the North West and North Wales. Only by individuals taking the brave step of speaking up anonymously about what is going on in their areas will we see a cut in the pain and suffering that our communities face.

“If you know who is involved in drug crime or orchestrating a drug gang, please contact our charity. Only you will know you contacted us.

“Every year across the North West and North Wales we receive over 35,000 pieces of `actionable’ or high-quality information. This leads to a significant number of arrests, millions of pounds of drugs seized, and weapons being taken off our streets. We would like to thank those who have previously contacted our charity.

“Remember, we guarantee you’ll stay 100% anonymous. That means no police contact, no witness statement and no courts. I encourage anyone with information to contact us. We will never know who they are because of anonymity, but they have made the North West safer for everyone and made a real difference.”

To speak up 100 per cent  anonymously, visit Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in a simple and secure anonymous online form or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.

 

• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful, with over 5,100 arrests to date.