POLICE have reaffirmed their commitment to stamping out drug crime in Oxford.

Thames Valley Police has been pouring extra resources into tackling offences amid rising reports of drug dealing and use on city streets.

Yesterday police assisted bailiffs and the city council in taking possession of a property in Lake Street, South Oxford, as part of the force's stronghold operations.

The street, off Abingdon Road, has been raided by officers several times in recent years – most notably in July 2016 when police smashed through a front door to execute a drugs warrant.

In the past month officers have arrested about four suspected drug dealers each week in the city centre and surrounding areas.

The efforts all fall under the umbrella of Stronghold, Thames Valley Police’s commitment to tackling organised crime.

Force spokesman Jack Abell said: “We are aware of increasing concerns from communities about public drug dealing and using.

“This is a priority for neighbourhood policing teams and additional resources have been put in place.

“These resources have included intensive patrols from local and mounted officers, the roads policing unit and plain clothed officers.”

As reported in the Oxford Mail yesterday, the force has been working with partners including Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

The priority for police in the city is dealing with drug offences that involve the exploitation of vulnerable adults and children.

Mr Abell said: “The force works closely with both the city and county council.

"This includes clearing up areas to make it harder for drugs to be dealt and used, and closure orders to prevent vulnerable people are being exploited in their homes by drug crime gangs, including by ‘cuckooing’.

“We also work with both children’s social care and the youth offending service to get the best possible picture of where younger people may be exploited to deal drugs and to protect those children and prevent harm to others.”

According to the National Crime Agency a typical county lines scenario involves a number of similar components.

A group establishes a network between an urban hub, like London or Birmingham, and a county location to which drugs are then supplied.

A mobile phone line is established to connect customers to the supply.

The group exploits young or vulnerable people for storage and supply of drugs, as well as the use of dwellings – which is commonly referred to as cuckooing.

The group, or individuals exploited by them, regularly travel between the urban hub and the county market to replenish stock and deliver cash.

Also, the group is inclined to use intimidation, violence and weapons, including knives, corrosives and firearms.

There are believed to be about 700 opiate users in Oxford.