THREE people were arrested as undercover police took to the streets of a town centre to deter drug gangs from operating and potentially targeting young people this summer holiday.

The Kirklees Town Centre Team has promised more action will follow after mounting a joint operation with British Transport Police to target County Lines drugs gangs and also general anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield.

Plain clothes officers from both the Huddersfield Town Centre Team and British Transport Police (BTP) patrolled on Wednesday, August 3, as part of a regional operation running across the six-week holidays.

Uniformed officers were also deployed in the sweeps as were two drugs dogs.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police dogs were usedPolice dogs were used

During the day, police stopped and searched three people under section 23 of the misuse of drugs act.

One was arrested for possession with intent to supply class A with the other arrested for possession of class A controlled drug.

Six people seen drinking alcohol in the street were also issued with a legally enforceable direction to leave orders.

One was arrested for failing to comply with the order and has now been charged to appear before the courts.

Sergeant Amanda Holroyd, Kirklees Town Centre Partnership Sergeant, said: “We were very pleased to take part in this operation with our partners in British Transport Police to target both drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield.

“The operation saw us make three arrests and also receive some very useful intelligence which will now be developed to help us plan further enforcement activity.

“Our officers have close relationships with traders and residents in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres and I want to thank them for their ongoing support.”

Superintendent Helen Brear, of Kirklees Police, said:  “County Lines style organised crime is insidious and the effect on communities and the individuals caught up in this kind of crime can be devastating.

“A significant amount of work is ongoing within Kirklees to target organised criminal gangs involved in this offending and this operation is a great example of the work ongoing at all levels by colleagues in NPT and CID.

“We are regularly putting drug dealers before our courts and seeing them receive significant prison sentences."

Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “This successful action in Huddersfield Town Centre is welcomed and my thanks go to all those involved. It sends a clear message that we won’t stand for criminal or anti-social activity in our town centres.

“This kind of behaviour from a few individuals is more than a nuisance, it can be detrimental to local businesses and increase a sense of fear, which negatively impacts on the overall appeal of our town centres.

“We want our town centres to be inviting, safe spaces where anyone who lives, works or visits naturally feels safe.

“We continue to work closely with the police, partners and local communities to build on activities like this one that will help us to increase safety, change negative behaviours and challenge negative perceptions of town centres across Kirklees.”