Project Adder is proven a huge success from last month’s activities

Fresher’s week was a targeted week of action to clamp down on dangerous dealers targeting students 

£50,000 worth of illegal drugs, £22,000 cash and 38 arrests made during fresher’s week. Last month, a range of activities was carried out as part of Project Adder, a scheme that has a partnership between Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council to reduce drug-related harm across the city.   

Project Adder last month was a success which included and haul of illegal drugs including cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis edibles to be seized alongside criminal cash and three stolen cars. Furthermore, several mobile phones were also recovered, along with five knives, a BB gun, an extendable baton and a knuckle duster. 

A total of 38 people were arrested for a range of offences and all this activity builds upon the success Project Adder has seen since its inception over a year ago. Officers since have carried out many tactical stops and searches, vehicle stops and executing warrants to tackle illegal drug supply.

Superintendent Jamie Pitt spoke about the operation and said: “The results of this week-long operation speak for themselves and are a testament to the hard work and passion of all those working in the Project Adder team. 

“As part of Project Adder, we are committed to reducing the harm illegal drugs can cause in our communities, and that includes within our student population. We will continue to pursue individuals seeking to turn a profit and dismantle the criminal organisations propping them up”.

Councillor Karen Kilgour, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and cabinet member for a Healthy, Caring City said: “Through Project Adder, partners in Newcastle are working to help people overcome issues with substances and a significant part of that is targeting criminals who seek to exploit our communities and ruin lives through their actions. 

“This shows our commitment in the city to tackling drug supply through the partnership, which also offers dedicated support to help individuals affected by drugs, as well as their loved ones, to get the support they need. This includes support for young adults within a specialist team, and includes a student pathway”. 

Local support services are listed on the directory on www.talktofrank.com and students in Newcastle can also look at Newcastle Looking after yourself at university (cntw.nhs.uk)