Police are continuing to crack down on drug and knife crime in Huddersfield town centre.

Police seized class A drugs including ketamine and cocaine in twin operations in the town on March 25 and 29 and also searched several people for knives.

The measures were the latest in a series of operations carried out by officers from the Huddersfield Town Centre Team to reduce crime, with a particular focus on drugs and knives.

In the latest operations officers took to the streets of Huddersfield town centre with a drugs dog on March 25, visiting nine premises. A number of people were caught carrying drugs for personal use and were dealt with.

The team also patrolled with colleagues from British Transport Police on March 29 in Huddersfield’s train and bus stations as well as in nearby areas, again utilising a drugs dog. A knife arch was also deployed in the train station though no knives were detected.

Recent work has seen Huddersfield Town Centre Team officers carry out a number of enhanced knife patrols in Huddersfield and recover weapons in sweeps of foliage in public spaces.

A test purchasing operation by Police Cadets earlier this year also resulted in the youngsters buying five bladed items. Appropriate action was taken against premises involved.

Meanwhile, police have also continued to work closely with the independent Crimestoppers charity to conduct engagement work with pupils in schools.

Sgt Amanda Holroyd, Kirklees Town Centre Partnership Sergeant, said: “Reducing knife and drug offending remain key concerns for Huddersfield Town Centre Team officers and I hope these twin operations will make it clear we could attend anywhere at any time to conduct this activity.

“Our passive drugs dogs are absolutely expert at sniffing out signs of drug use, with several persons caught on March 25 with drugs including ketamine and cocaine.

“Those persons caught with drugs were dealt with and it should always be remembered that money paid for drugs goes on to fuel the sort of organised crime none of us want to see.”

She added: “A long term programme of work also remains ongoing by our team to find concealed weapons and deter the illegal sale of knives.

“This work complements a huge amount of daily activity ongoing by colleagues across Kirklees Police and Operation Jemlock to reduce knife crime offending and educate our young people about the dreadful consequences of carrying these weapons.

“We continue to urge anyone who has information about those carrying knives in Kirklees to contact Kirklees Police or the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

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