Rat on a rat – one call is all it takes

Michael Fuller, Kent’s Chief Constable is urging the public to ‘rat on a rat’ as part of a new publicity campaign that invites the public to tell the authorities about drug dealers - who they are and where they operate - using the Crimestoppers anonymous phone line 0800 555111.

The rat-on-a-rat campaign was piloted in Medway in March, where it was used in the ‘sweep-up’ to Operation Commando. The campaign will now be used in all Kent’s policing areas in conjunction with different operations and initiatives to combat the blight caused by drugs.

The information provided by the public could alert the police to a new problem or confirm existing intelligence. Either way, the police can take action to rid the local community of drug dealers and the problems they cause.

Kent Chief Constable Michael Fuller launched the campaign today at 9am. He said:

“A large amount of police time is taken up dealing with the crimes committed by drug users trying to fund their next fix. We are inviting local communities to do something about the blight caused by drug dealing in their local area without having to speak openly to a police officer. The campaign supports Kent Police’s activities against all kinds of drug-related crime and will remind anyone who has information about drug-dealing to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111and be assured that they can do so in total anonymity”.

As a result of the information received, Kent Police have, so far, taken action against a further 12 suspected drug dealers, on top of the 73 charged in the original operation. To date the total of the prison sentences passed following Operation Commando exceed 100 years.

Other figures show that the number of drug-related offences reported to Crimestoppers doubled (from 40 to 80) in the immediate aftermath. Encouragingly the rise in the number of calls to Crimestoppers has outlasted the campaign, with April’s figures also well above average.

“Crimestoppers is keen to build on the good results in Medway achieved with the public’s help. Our guarantee of anonymity means that people who are nervous about coming forward can do so without fear of repercussions or reprisals”. Said Geoff Butler, Crimestoppers Kent County Support Officer.