Crackdown

The total value of crack cocaine seized in York last year was £1,500, but in only the last three months, £40,000 worth of the drug was recovered in the city.

At the same time, police figures show the city is witnessing an unprecedented rise in crime.

There were 283 house burglaries in the York area in February, compared to 129 in the same month last year.

So far this month there have been 115 such crimes. The Clifton, South Bank and Groves areas have been the worst hit.

Superintendent Steve Barlow, operations commander for the York and Selby area, said: "I am convinced there is a relationship between this rise in burglaries and the increased recovery of crack cocaine in the city.

"This time last year it was rare for us to see crack cocaine in the city, but now the information we are getting from burglars themselves, from other agencies and from our own intelligence shows crack cocaine is a common feature."

A surge in shop robberies and handbag snatches is also believed to be due to the rise in use of the drug.

Two major seizures account for much of the crack recovered in York this year. The work of North Yorkshire Police's 20-strong drugs squad, which was launched in October last year, has inevitably seen more drugs being recovered - more than £300,000 worth so far - but police are convinced the massive rise in crack seizures shows a major increase in its use.

Crack is a crystallised form of cocaine which is said to deliver an instant "hit". Rocks or stones, as this form of the Class A drug is commonly known, can sell for £10 or £20.

The short-lived high means addicts can soon develop habits costing hundreds of pounds a day. Once users are hooked, dealers can choose their price.

Many users combine using heroin with using crack. "It's a double whammy for us in that these people have got two habits to fund," said Supt Barlow.

The police are hoping to curb the rising tide of crime by continuing to target offenders, increasing patrols in badly-hit areas, promoting home, car and personal security, and by calling on the public to give them the information they need to act on.

Detective Chief Inspector Javad Ali, head of CID for York and Selby, said: "We are committed to targeting known offenders and putting them in prison, but we need information from the public to help take these people out."

The police will also continue to urge drug users to seek help for their addictions.

Supt Barlow said: "I don't want to put drug users, who are often victims themselves, in prison, but I won't hesitate to put burglars who are drug users in prison."

He added: "We were aware crack cocaine was in Leeds and Bradford, but now it is here. My concern is that if we don't nip it in the bud quickly, crime in the city will continue to rise."

- A national study published today by the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation claims to reveal widespread inconsistencies in the way cannabis is policed on the streets.

Researchers from South Bank University found many officers had "effectively decriminalised" possession of cannabis by turning a blind eye to the offence or issuing informal warnings. But a small minority of patrol officers "specialise" in cannabis offences, accounting for a disproportionate number of arrests for possession.

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, March 13, 2002