A Crown Court judge has said that Bradford could now be described as the "heroin capital of the country". Judge John Cockcroft says there are now so many dealers in the city the Class A drug is extensively available, causing huge associated problems. Reporter Joanne Earp examines the extent of Bradford's heroin problem and the work being done to tackle it.

BRADFORD DOES have a heroin problem. And the scourge of drugs will not be eradicated overnight...

Those are two things the police, Bradford Council, probation, health authority, social services and every other agency in the Bradford district agree on.

What they all dispute is the statement that Bradford now has so many dealers it could be considered Britain's heroin capital.

The lead agency in tackling the number of heroin dealers on the district's streets is the police.

Bradford's five policing divisions of Toller Lane, Central, Eccleshill, Keighley and Odsal have each been given a tough target for arresting and dealing with suppliers. Contained in that is a specific target for heroin dealing.

Latest figures show all the divisions are on course to beat their targets, and some have already achieved the total.

Keighley Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Derek Bonnard, is the police representative on Bradford's Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).

He said: "We are arresting more people for drug dealing but it doesn't necessarily mean the problem is getting worse.

"The fact is we are becoming more effective in our targeting of heroin dealers through intelligence-led operations.

"Heroin is one of the most problematic drugs for society because it is so destructive. That's why we have specific targets for tackling heroin."

He admits that the arrest of a heroin dealer often leads to another supplier replacing them in the chain.

But he adds it is still important for the police to meet those targets and arrest as many dealers as possible.

Chief Supt Bonnard said: "People have a right to be concerned about the drugs problem and its effect on communities, particularly young people.

"It is not an issue which will be solved overnight. The good news is that there are positive steps being taken.

"The partnership approach of working with agencies like the probation service, social services, drug treatment services and health authority supports the work we do."

In April 1999 the district launched a three-year Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy. One of its six key priorities is tackling drugs and drug-related crime.

Initiatives include a mentoring project to support heroin users, referring drug users entering the criminal justice system to treatment programmes and a support network for addicts once they are released from prison.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, says heroin is a problem in Bradford, as it is in many other places across the country.

The Bradford-based Bridge drugs treatment project, deals with 400 addicts every week - the same figure as April 1998 when Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney branded the city the drugs capital of Britain.

The majority of users are under 24 and nine out of 10 of them are hooked on heroin.

Councillor Greenwood said: "There is no evidence to suggest it is the drug capital of the country," he said.

"It is a sensationalist remark which is not helpful to anyone. That's not to say we would try to duck the issue. We need to address the curse of drugs, particularly heroin.

"Tackling drugs and drug-related crime is one of the key priorities of the district's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

"We haven't got the perfect understanding of the problem yet, but it is an ongoing process and things are improving.

"But it's not just a matter for agencies like the Council or Police, probation, social services or DAAT to deal with - it is a matter for every single member of the community."

One community project set up to help addicts on Bradford's Thorpe Edge estate is USER Friendly.

Chairman Kath Leach said: "Bradford is no better or worse than any other city - I don't think you could call it the heroin capital of Britain.

"Every city has pockets of addiction in different areas and the problems fluctuate during the year as the number of users varies. It depends very much on where you are but it is a widespread problem."

Police target the suppliers

Toller Lane Police have their own targets for arresting and dealing with heroin suppliers.

With three months to go until the end of the financial year they have already surpassed their target of 43.

Head of the six-strong Toller drugs team, Sergeant John Mountain, said: "It is intelligence-led policing and we use a variety of tactics.

"There are two main reasons why people become dealers. They are either in it for the money, or they are addicts themselves who need to sell to feed their own habit.

"Nine times out of 10 they've already been through the criminal justice system.

"By targeting the suppliers and removing them from circulation we can reduce the amount of heroin on the streets and the damage it does."

Heroin seizures for 1999 have ranged from £20 wraps to 45 kilos with a street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

All the drugs seized are destroyed, whether the suspect is convicted or not.

Sgt Mountain said: "The majority is smokeable brown heroin imported from Asia via Turkey.

"The courts are coming down hard on heroin suppliers. We're not talking about small sentences here - the dealers are being jailed for upwards of four and five years.

"Obviously the sentences depend on the circumstances, but you can be arrested for supplying whether you have a £20 bag or 45 kilos.

"We are constantly targeting people and will never be out of a job. We need people to keep coming forward with information to help us tackle the problem."

Anyone with information about drug-related crime can speak to the police in confidence on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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