The number one priority for drugs squad officers in Oxfordshire is targeting heroin dealers, write Zahra Borno and Andy Ffrench. Police say the lethal substance has become fashionable with local youngsters in the same way that taking Ecstasy was during the 1990s. The force has vowed to focus its attention on limiting the lethal trade in Oxford and the surroundings towns and villages.

A report being presented today to Thames Valley Police Authority members has shown a rise in heroin-related arrests.

The report was unveiled after Nathan Cox, 16, of Kingston Bagpuize, died from a suspected drugs overdose at the weekend. Det Insp Ian Robinson, drugs co-ordinator for Thames Valley police, said there was a renewed focus on targeting heroin dealers.

He added: "There is a lot of misinformation out there and some people are not even aware of what they are buying. It is advertised simply as 'brown'. People must be made aware that it is a very dangerous drug.

"Some people are using heroin to counter coming off crack cocaine. It's a roller-coaster ride but it is one you can't get off very easily and usually the only way is down."

He said: "The drugs scene is reaching out to even the smallest villages and, if it hasn't reached them yet, the communities need to be vigilant." He added that simple enforcement - arresting drug dealers - was not enough.

"That is only one strand of our work to combat the spread of heroin.

"We are also working in partnership with other agencies, including schools, to educate youngsters about the dangers of drugs.

"We have also set up an arrest referral scheme, whereby those arrested for burglary or shoplifting are automatically referred to treatment agencies." Blitzing a certain area like Bonn Square in Oxford and arresting a large number of dealers would only work, he added, if the operation was co-ordinated with other agencies in the community.

He said: "If a large number of dealers are arrested at once, the price of heroin will go up and the knock-on effect will be that addicts will commit more burglaries."

The force was determined that those who were being hit were the dealers, while at the same time a support network was in place for the addicts.

Police authority member Douglas Spencer said new procedures, introduced nationally after the inquiry into the death of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, meant police were more reluctant to stop and search suspects. Mr Spencer said: "Stop-and-search is one of the most effective ways of tackling the possession of drugs and drug-dealing.

"We are tying a police officer's arm behind his back in the course of his duty - and it is extremely worrying.

"If police officers are 70 per cent certain that a particular individual is in possession of drugs they will not be as quick to stop and search them as they were prior to the Macpherson report."

Det Insp Robinson said: "We need the public's help to provide us with as much information as possible about the drug dealers. They can do so on an anonymous basis by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"They could help us prevent the death of another youngster like Nathan Cox."

Story date: Wednesday 22 March

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