Police pledge action to tackle drug use in Amble

According to Les Robson, neighbourhood sergeant for Morpeth, despite a fall in “traditional crime” such as burglary, antisocial behavoir and drug offences are on the rise in the Amble area.

The rise in antisocial behaviour has been linked to breaches of COVID-19 restrictions, which are categorized as antisocial behaviour in police data.

Particular concern was raised around the Church Street and Queens Street areas in Amble.

Sergeant Robson said: “We are looking at an operation very shortly in the Amble area with a lot of resources….actively targeting the potential for drugs use in the area…directly affecting the offenders in the area.”

Alnwick police recorded 598 anti-social crimes in 2019. However, this almost doubled to 1,146 in 2020. January 2021 saw 162 antisocial behaviour incidents, more than 2019 and 2020 combined.

Also, drug use across the counted raised slightly from 31 recorded crimes in 2019 to 43 in 2020. However, figures for this year have only just been released for Janurary.

Councillors in the North Northumberland local area council were also told that Alnwick saw an increase in antisocial behaviour.

Officer Paul Sikes said this was down to people visiting second homes in the area, breaching lockdown regulations.

The issues were discussed during a police and community saftey update to councillors.