Gloucestershire police say drug misuse is taken seriously
It's amid fears that people are no longer reporting it.
Crimes of drug misuse are taken seriously, say police chiefs amid concerns many people have given up reporting it in Gloucestershire.
There were a total of 1,164 drug offences across the county over the last financial year (2024/25) according to figures Gloucestershire Constabulary presented to civic chiefs last week.
Cheltenham councillor Victoria Atherstone (LD, St Peters) asked questions about drug offences at the police and crime panel meeting at Shire Hall on July 11.
She said the issue did not seem to be a priority when she first became a councillor and thanked chiefs for a renewed focus on the problem.
“Historically when I became a councillor, drug offences did not seem to be a priority in tackling,” she said.
“I can see through all of the reports there is a really big focus on it which is great.
“The number of incidents is quite low. I do think people are just not reporting it anymore.”
She said it would be great for the community to feel confident that it is going to be taken notice of.
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said the crime reporting is relatively stable.
And she explained they have an operation underway with police dogs which is looking at drug use and violence on the streets of the county.
“We are seeing similar amounts,” she said. “There is not a huge increase in drug reports.
“I appreciate that point ‘do people actually report it to police?’”
During the same meeting, Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, responding to a question about what the most prevalent drugs are in the county currently, said it is a constantly changing “market place”.
But she said cannabis is widespread and it remains a focus for the force. “We know there is changing market around class A drugs and also increasing synthetic drugs that are in the market place.
“The chemicals change constantly and keeping ahead of the game with that is really important.
“We also know cannabis is incredibly widespread. That remains a focus for us in Gloucester as it does elsewhere.
“It is a constantly changing market which involves serious and organised crime teams, Border Force and local police forces working together,” she said.
Cllr Philip Burford (I, Hartpury and Redmarley) asked what the constabulary’s position is on dealing with drug use, and cannabis in particular.
“We will deal with drug misuse like any criminality,” the Temporary Chief Constable said.
“We know the link between drug misuse and antisocial behaviour and other forms of violence including domestic abuse as well.
“It’s something we take seriously.”