Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan calls on the government to do more to tackle drugs

Stephen Morgan has supported the efforts of the Hampshire Constabulary who have disrupted seven drugs networks during a County Lines Intensification week last month, but the MP has said that the government must do more.

It has been reported that the police in Portsmouth managed to intercept £12,500 worth of crack cocaine and heroine, as well as disrupting several drug networks in the area.

The latest interception saw police officers turn their attention to county lines in a bid to try and tackle the drug supply, which has a detrimental impact on the wider community as violence tends to follow drug dealing across large cities.

The police made 19 arrests, six of those were arrested and remanded into custody by the courts.

Mr Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said: ‘National action on drugs and crime is long overdue as the Government has allowed serious problems to grow over the last few years.

‘Class A drug use has increased, drug-related deaths are going up, and the number of children referred as suspected victims of county lines is increasing. Meanwhile, more than £100m has been cut from treatment services, and cuts to policing budgets have day-to-day consequences in our communities.

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‘I will continue to raise these concerns in Westminster, and call for Government to fairer fund our Constabulary.’

During the interceptions, officers also managed to recover and remove a number of weapons including several knives and BB gun.

Detective Sergeant Pete Eamer of Hampshire Constabulary’s Eastern Criminal Investigation Department added: ‘Our fight against drugs in Portsmouth continues at pace. We are working harder than ever to crack down on county lines, which bring misery to communities in the form of drug dealing and violence.

‘The success of these operations wouldn’t be possible without the intelligence that you, the community provide. Even the smallest pieces of information that is provided can often benefit our investigations.’

Mr Morgan has pledged to continue to work alongside local authorities and police to tackle drug-related in crime in the city.