Your neighbourhood 

Falcon

Operation Falcon continues to swoop on those involved in drug activity in Reading.

The team was set up in 2005 to target those involved in Class A drugs and it has a dedicated team who execute warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act, patrol hot spots and put together court cases against those who are arrested.

It is based at Reading police station and is led by Detective Inspector Andy Bellman. He said: “Operation Falcon is dedicated to catching and convicting criminals who choose to supply drugs to the more vulnerable in our community.

“Many neighbourhoods in Reading have identified drugs as being the main concern for residents. Such criminality will not be tolerated by police. We will use all available methods to continue to build on the successes that have been achieved since the team was created.”

The majority of people arrested by the Falcon team have been given prison sentences and many have had their assets seized through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Ultimately, the team is managed by Reading Local Police Area Commander Superintendent Steve Kirk.

He said: “We continue to make it known that if we identify networks already operating or attempting to set up business in the town, we will be very proactive in stopping them - whether that means removing their assets, locking them up or both.”

If you have any information relating to drug dealing, please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing team in the first instance or contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 who can pass on the information anonymously.