Ludlow West Mercia Police Police Local Neighbourhood

I recently transferred from Surrey Police where I was a Sergeant in Staines Upon Thames. I worked there for 6.5 years. I have now taken on the position of the Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant in Church Stretton, Bishop's Castle and Ludlow.  I am looking forward to working with my new team and the community.

In 2016 I joined West Mercia Police as part of the Ludlow Safer Neighbourhood Team having completed my studies at the University of Worcester.

I enjoy the rural elements of South Shropshire and ensure I reach out to the more isolated areas of our patch to offer general crime prevention advice as well as being a friendly face to come and talk to.

My interests include; cyber crime, crime prevention & online security... I am also a trained ScamChampion and Dementia Friend.

Raj joined West Midlands Police in 2008 and was initially posted to Tipton in the Sandwell area. She has worked a variety of areas including Oldbury, Langley, Smethwick, Wednesbury and finally Walsall town centre. Raj was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to work alongside young people with the Prince's Trust and she became a team leader on the programme, providing training, mentoring support and offering practical help aimed at building the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people. Seeking fresh challenges in 2016, she transferred to West Mercia Police. Raj enjoys meeting local residents and hopes to provide long term solutions to their concerns and priorities.

Reports of shoplifting, residential burglaries and vehicle crime are amongst so of the most frequent crimes being reported to be taking place in Ludlow.

SNT have recently secured a criminal behavioural order (CBO) for a prolific shoplifter from Ludlow.  This order prevents him from entering many shops within the town where he has shoplifted previously - if he were to enter these locations, he will then be arrested.

SNT continue to carry out property marking events whereby the residents of Ludlow can bring their valuable items to get marked in order to prevent theft. We also attend victims of crime on a regular basis to offer reassurance and advice on how to secure their homes and reduce the chance of becoming a repeat victim.

March 2019 - Ludlow SNT have been taking part in talks and presentations to students within the town in order to inform them of the risk and dangers of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and how they can protect themselves from falling victim.  We have also been liaising with school staff to ensure they have the knowledge on how to detect potential CSE and how to prevent further cases.

April 2019 - Ludlow SNT continue to use Social Media and face to face meetings to highlight the risks and dangers of CSE to young people in the town.

County lines class A drug supply
The network supply of drugs from urban areas (cities outside of West Mercia) into market towns using 'dedicated' mobile telephone lines or 'deal lines' utilising the exploitation of vulnerable adults and children to traffick both drugs and money.

What are County Lines?

County Lines is a term used to organised drug-dealing networks, usually controlled by a person using a single telephone number or 'deal line'
They can operate in major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham and distribute drugs across the counties via 'runners'
Vulnerable children and adults are recruited as runners to transport drugs and cash all over the county, so that the criminals behind it can remain detached and less likely to be detected

What is Cuckooing?

Criminals running County Lines will set up a base in a rural area or small town for a short time, taking over the home and vulnerable person, 'cuckooing' them (named after the cuckoo's practice of taking over other birds' nests for it's young).
Victims of cuckooing are often drug users but can include older people, those suffering from mental or physical health problems, female sex workers, single mums and those living in poverty.  Victims may suffer from other forms of addiction such as alcoholism.
Some people may be forced to leave their homes, making themselves homeless and leaving the gangs free to sell drugs in their absence

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On February 15th 2019, Ludlow SNT, alongside our colleagues at Local Policing Priority Team conducted a drugs warrant in Ludlow having received numerous reports from residents that drug dealing was suspected to be taking place at the address.  A considerable amount of drugs and money were found at the property and two arrests were made for conspiracy to supply class A.