IN FOCUS: Tackling Addictions

Overview

With half of all homicides and acquisitive crimes believed to be drug-related, tackling addictions may be the single biggest thing that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) can do to prevent crime and make communities safer. This In Focus report showcases how PCCs across England and Wales are leading efforts to deliver all three pillars of the From Harm to Hope drug strategy: robust enforcement to cut supply, helping offenders with addictions into treatment, and reducing demand by changing attitudes to drug misuse.

Key themes

• Breaking Drug Supply Chains: PCCs are prioritising disruption of drug markets, targeting organised crime groups, and ensuring their forces have the resources to combat drug-related crime.
• World-Class Treatment and Recovery: PCCs are working with partners to increase investment in treatment and recovery services, supporting offenders into rehabilitation, and ensuring prison leavers connect with community services.
• Reducing Demand and Shifting Attitudes: PCCs are leading prevention initiatives aimed at young people, tackling gateway drug use, and working with schools and colleges to change attitudes towards drug misuse.
• Beyond Drugs – Tackling Other Addictions: PCCs are addressing the impact of alcohol and gambling-related crime, supporting victims, and pioneering local interventions to reduce harm.

Initiatives

• Operation Scorpion (South West PCCs): A regional campaign tackling drug-related crime and disrupting supply networks.
• Project ADDER (Various PCCs): A partnership approach combining enforcement with treatment to break the cycle of addiction and crime.
• Drug Testing on Arrest (Hampshire & Isle of Wight PCC): Identifying individuals misusing Class A drugs and offering them support in custody.
• Checkpoint and Checkpoint Cymru (Durham & North Wales PCCs): Voluntary diversion schemes providing tailored interventions to offenders with substance misuse issues.
• The Free Programme (Durham PCC): Supporting women to move away from addiction and offending through trauma-informed interventions.
• Offender to Rehab (West Midlands PCC): Helping prolific shoplifters enter residential rehabilitation instead of short-term prison sentences.
• Gambling Harm Reduction (Various PCCs): Raising awareness of gambling-related crime and piloting local interventions to support those at risk.

Impact and outcomes

• Operation Scorpion has resulted in over 1,500 drug disruptions, 388 arrests, and the removal of £1.1 million worth of street-value drugs.
• Project ADDER has helped improve treatment access and reduce crime in targeted areas.
• Drug Testing on Arrest led to 157 offenders being referred to treatment in just three months.
• Checkpoint schemes have diverted over 3,000 individuals from the criminal justice system.
• Alcohol-related arrests have reduced by 65% in areas with High Impact services.