CALLS to Crime Stoppers have nearly doubled in Wodonga during a campaign targeting drug dealers.
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Wodonga police launched the Dob in a Dealer campaign with Albury officers and Crime Stoppers staff on July 13.
Members of the public were asked to make anonymous reports on those involved in the drug trade over two weeks.
NSW statistics are not yet available but the Wodonga figures show an 83 per cent increase in drug related reports during the period.
Wodonga Acting Inspector Kate Chamberlain said the intelligence was now being examined.
“To have an 83 per cent increase is absolutely wonderful,” she said.
“However I’d like the community to continue to ring Crime Stoppers with any and all information they have in relation to drug dealing and other crimes.
“All information will be looked into and thoroughly investigated.”
Police can see the impact drugs, particularly ice, are having on the city first hand, Acting Inspector Chamberlain said.
“I think people are more and more concerned about the use of drugs and ice particularly in their community,” she said.
“The concern is also for the users as well as the flow on effects.
“It’s like the concern you would have for any human being – the quality of life, ability to support themselves and on their health and well-being.”
“Members of the community can see it first hand.
“We are called to deal with it when it gets out of control.”
Acting Inspector Chamberlain said the campaign was a chance for people to make an “amazing contribution” to combat drugs in the community.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Sam hunter thanked those who had contributed.
“The community’s response to the program has been significant and the increase in reports shows how determined residents are to put a stop to the flow of illegal substances into their neighbourhood,” she said.
Ice possession and use offences are at an all time high in the North East and continue to grow.
Crime statistics show the problem has been growing significantly in recent years after emerging the region about five years ago.