Inspector Paul CanonA SENIOR police officer has told people in South Derbyshire: ‘if you give us information on criminals, we will act on it’.
South Derbyshire section inspector Paul Cannon made the plea as he zoned in on the third anniversary of him taking on the role of tackling crime in the area – a period which has seen successive years of crime reduction.
He also heaped praise on his counterparts in Burton for their attempts to stifle the town’s drug trade with Operation Nemesis, but warned criminals looking to take their illegal activities over the border that ‘it will not be tolerated’.
He told the Mail: “I suppose as I approach the anniversary of three years in the role, my main message is that I and my team are not going to rest on our laurels.
“We want to continue to achieve a crime reduction and this is where members of the public come in.
“If they know of some illegal activity, get in touch and we will react to the information.”
Insp Cannon used the example of drug dealer Andrew Eaton, of Burton Road, Midway, who was thrown back in jail only months after being released and ‘reigniting’ the area’s narcotics trade, following intelligence from the community.
He added: “This example shows what we can do with people’s help. It also shows that we will act.”
Swadlincote’s top cop was also full of praise for his fellow officers in Staffordshire after two high-profile drugs raids helped snare 29 criminals and put them before the courts.
He said: “They deserve a big pat on the back for what they have done.
“However, we have to be careful in South Derbyshire as criminals feeling the squeeze in Burton might think that it’s fine to come and start up here.
“We will be as vigilant as ever and anyone who thinks they will walk into South Derbyshire and get away with what they like is very much mistaken.”
Anyone who would like to report a crime is urged to call Derbyshire Police on 101.
