Great Western Coffee Shop

Journey by Journey => London to Swindon and Bristol => Topic started by: grahame on March 05, 2021, 20:45:44



Title: Swindon railway station a 'gateway' for drug trafficking
Post by: grahame on March 05, 2021, 20:45:44
From the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-56263107)

Quote
Swindon railway station a 'gateway' for drug trafficking

Swindon railway station has become a "gateway" for young people bringing class A drugs into the south west from London, police say.

British Transport Police says good public transport links to the capital means criminals are sending children to ferry drugs via the town.

The pandemic has made it easier to spot people transporting drugs due to low passengers numbers, the force added.

The Children's Society says the children need to be seen as "victims".

The head of a dedicated British Transport Police (BTP) drugs taskforce, Det Supt Gareth Williams, said: "Swindon is a bit of a gateway location for going deeper into the south west, but also a great train route from London.

"What we've seen is mainly London residents being involved in the local (Swindon) drug market and on into Wiltshire.

"With dwindling passenger numbers that are involved, people who are involved in (drug dealing) stand out."


Title: Re: Swindon railway station a 'gateway' for drug trafficking
Post by: GWR 158 on March 06, 2021, 16:24:11
Thankfully the BTP and police are tackling it. At Basingstoke railway station, there were sniffer dogs and police officers looking out for drug trafficking. https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/94-people-arrested-in-targeted-county-lines-operations-on-railway-network/



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