Police clampdown on crack menace

The "rocks" are available at 20, with users also buying heroin at 10 a bag '” using the crack to go up on and heroin to come down on. A senior detective described crack as the "drug of the moment" in Hastings.

It's the most popular drug among hard users because it gives an instant buzz which is what they are looking for.

Because it gives such euphoria and because when people are hooked on it, they want to get it desperately they will commit crime.

Crack cocaine is one of the drugs reckoned to be behind most of the crime here.

Some 90 per cent of persistent offenders '” those with six or more convictions in the last 12 months '” are using drugs.

Detective Inspector Del Cuff, who is accountable for the investigation of drugs in Hastings, talked on Wednesday about the crack cocaine scene in the town '” and the efforts police are making to tackle it with special operations and high visibility policing of areas where dealers are reported to be operating.

During Operation Glencoe they arrested 16 people, 12 of whom were charged with supplying crack and heroin, both Class A drugs.

One found guilty of dealing in crack was jailed for four years.

DI Cuff went on: "We have had several reports that it (drug dealing) is taking place in Linton Gardens, Braybrooke Road and Wykeham Road.

"This is happening on the street so today we have officers tasked to go down there to disrupt drug dealing and catch them dealing."

DI Cuff said he has noticed a considerable increase in drugs use in Hastings now since he was here as a probationary constable in 1982 but it's the same as in other towns.

"I think people in general do not seem to recognise the dangers of what drugs can do to you and use it as part of their lifestyle," he said.

But he said that with all the work going on he hoped that within two years time they would see a dramatic decrease in drug-related crime.

DI Cuff added: "Tackling drugs is not just a police problem.

"We could arrest hundreds of people for drugs offences but if they are not given support through drug rehabilitation, through housing and obtaining employment they will just go on a continuous cycle.

"We have all got our part to play."

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