If people thought the South West was a soft target for the supply of drugs, think again.

This week, Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October, police across Devon have been targeting dangerous drug networks as part of a large-scale operation into drug dealing in the county.

Officers carried out a number of arrests in a major crackdown of suspected drug suppliers. So far this week, 11 people have been arrested with over 20 charges stemming from the arrests as part of the crackdown.

Det Supt Ken Lamont said: “This activity, named Operation Cleft, is the result of us talking to the community and listening to their concerns about the sale and use of drugs in the area.

“This week, we worked together as one team to safeguard communities and neighbourhoods by targeting dangerous drugs networks, referred to as ‘DNN’s’ – a term used for urban gangs supplying drugs into our local market and coastal towns.

“The operation is a campaign with police and other agencies to find long-term solutions to restricting the supply of drugs, reducing demand and rebuilding communities.”

The Chairman of the Safer Devon Partnership, Dr Virginia Pearson, said: “We fully support the actions of the police in using their powers to tackle this problem and prevent it from escalating. This is an issue that involves the whole Safer Devon Partnership, and our focus is not only on supporting the police to bring offenders to justice, but also on protecting our most vulnerable individuals and communities from their criminal activities.”

Det Supt Ken Lamont continued: “This operation is targeting the supply of Class A drugs heroin and crack cocaine with the ultimate aim of to disrupt some of the major supply lines into the county and maximise the provision of safeguarding activity to vulnerable people who suffer exposure to DNN’s.

“National, regional and local learning has shown how DDN’s target vulnerability in many guises to move both drugs and money. This includes the exploitation of children, the exploitation of vulnerable adults, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of women. Gangs can typically take over the homes of local vulnerable adults in a term referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

“We have developed our understanding of the vulnerability of traditional street dealers who may have previously been viewed as offenders. However, often these are vulnerable people who are used by suppliers to run drugs. DNN’s target the most vulnerable in society and we are here to protect them.

“Intelligence and ongoing proactive work shows thatClass A drugs are being supplied across Devon by organised crime groups utilising members of the public who originate from the Metropolitan area of London, Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands areas.”

Arrests and searches have been carried out at addresses throughout the city this week with the operation running for another day. A significant amount of Cannabis, heroin and cocaine have been seized during the searches.

Det Supt Ken Lamont added: “We have used methods of intelligence to identify and locate suspects to be arrested. This has been led by our Pro-Active Team and assisted by Intelligence teams, FSG and PDU. 

“Detectives have worked through the night to secure over 20 charges to date and most suspects have subsequently been remanded in custody. Neighbourhood Teams have been visible throughout the community to reassure the public. We have worked with partners to close down addresses associated with drugs and anti-social behaviour.

“The week of action was not only about taking action against those suspected of being involved in drugs. It was also about offering help and support. Numerous people were referred to support services during the week to hopefully provide them with the help and support they need to escape alcohol and drug misuse.

“We are committed to tackling drugs in the area. The operation is a sustained response to the potential threat, risk and harm to Devon communities, linked to the activities of the Organised Crime Networks.

“Months of work has been carried out by officers and we hope it will reassure local residents that police are taking the issue extremely seriously.”

Police are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood. If anyone believes their neighbours are being cuckooed or having their addresses taken over, especially if vulnerable, they should report this immediately.

The support we receive from local people is vital in helping us make our communities safer and every piece of information is greatly appreciated.

 

Robbery
A gang who targeted ATM cash machines and a G4S security van in South Devon have been sentenced to a total of 48 years in prison.

Eight men, including a father and his two sons, were all found guilty of having played a part in a series of raids which sparked a huge police investigation.

Robin Vaughan Senior, 44, of Liverpool, was sentenced to fourteen and a half years to run concurrent to the ten year sentence he is currently serving for similar offences in Scotland.

Robin Vaughan Junior, aged 27, from Lyme Grove, Liverpool, was jailed for ten years.

Johnny Vaughan, aged 21, from Lyme Grove, Liverpool, was sentenced to seven years and one month.

Peter Atkinson, aged 17, of Prescott, Liverpool, received three years and eight months.

Joseph Field, 35, from Willow Grove in Warrington, was handed four and a half years.

Ian Harris, 36, from Torquay, was jailed for three years and seven months.

James Brewer, 36, of Brookwood Road, Liverpool, was given four years and eight months in prison.

Frederick Pearce, aged 53, of Torquay, pleaded guilty to burglary and is to be sentenced next week.

Robin Vaughan Senior, Robin Vaughan Junior, Johnny Vaughan and Joseph Field were indicted for the conspiracy to cause an explosion offences as part of their attempts rip out a free-standing ATM cash machine from a shop in Dartmouth.

Gang members targeted the Coop store on 23^rd April 2016, smashing windows to gain entry. They tied a band to the machine and used a 4×4 vehicle to attempt to drag out the ATM from within the shop. This attempt failed when the tow bar of the vehicle used broke off.

Four members of the gang were involved in other offences including using explosives in failed attempts to obtain cash from several ‘hole-in-the-wall’ ATM machines in Torquay.

On Monday 7 December 2015, a Natwest ATM on Newton Road, Torquay, was targeted and an attempted explosion was made. The explosion was unsuccessful and the attempt theft of money failed.
The following day, Tuesday 8 December 2015, a Barclays Bank ATM on Fore Street in Torquay was targeted. An explosion occurred and entry was gained to the bank, again, no cash was taken and a substantial amount of damage was caused.

On 18^th of May 2016, a G4S security van officer, who was transporting money from a bank in Brixham town centre, was attacked with a hammer by two men who stole £11,440 before making off in a vehicle driven by the third man. Robin Vaughan Junior, Johnny Vaughan, Peter Atkinson and Frederick Pearce pleaded guilty to robbery.

On 31^st May 2016, gang members were involved in another attempted ATM drag-out at the Coop store at Cherrybrook in Paignton. Again, the gang used a vehicle to attempt pull an ATM machine out of the ground from the shop. This failed and they left empty handed.

In June 2016, officers discovered that some of the gang had been staying at a rented property on Denbury Road in Ogwell, which was believed to have been used as the gang’s ‘centre of operations’. Detectives closed in on the group and several arrests followed.

Detective Inspector Kay Chapman said: “Operation Agua was the investigation into three significant conspiracies, ATM explosions, ATM drag-outs and a robbery with a weapon.
“They were a determined prolific gang mainly from out of force who thought South Devon would be an easy target. They initially targeted ATM’s then moved onto the G4S robbery

“We welcome today’s sentence. A significant amount of work went into this complex investigation in order to bring the offenders to court. The tenacious investigation by Torbay CID was in-depth and supported by the prosecution teams.

“I thank all of the victims and witnesses for their co-operation, patience and support. One of these incidents caused significant traumatic impact to one of the security guards and we hope today’s sentencing shows that justice has been done.”

Fraudsters Targeting Jobseekers

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) have identified a trend whereby fraudsters are posing as online job agents and are recruiting unsuspecting jobseekers, encouraging them to use their own bank and online sales accounts in order to transfer money from fraudulent sales into accounts.

Protect Yourself

Buyers

• When making a large purchase such as a new car or machinery, always meet the seller face to face first and ask to see the goods before transferring any money.
• False adverts often offer goods for sale well below market value to entice potential victims; always be cautious.
• Exercise caution when sellers state that they are selling on behalf of a friend, colleague or business.

Jobseekers

• Don’t assume advertised vacancies have been verified by the website or classified advertisement sites upon which they feature. If you suspect a job vacancy to be fraudulent, be sure to notify the website via their reporting/flag functions. Doing so prevents others from becoming victims of fraud and helps organisations and law enforcement tackle and disrupt fraudulent activity.
• Although many legitimate job vacancies are internet based sales roles, those which are vague about the business, product type, sales method or sales platform to be used should be approached with caution. It is always good practice to conduct further enquiries about an advertised role.
• Genuine businesses would never ask you to use your personal bank or online payment accounts to facilitate business transactions, nor would they ask to utilise your personal online marketplace account in order to sell their products. If someone claiming to represent the organisation suggests you do this or asks for your personal details so they can use your account(s) themselves, sever contact.

Scams can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

If you have any concerns, contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by calling 101. If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.