IT’S time to make drugs gangs pay says Labour’s candidate bidding to become Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ben Twomey has pledged to use new tactics to clamp down on serious organised crime in the county by forming a new uni to seize the cash and assets of criminal gangs.
IT experts and former bankers would be deployed to wrestle back cash made from crime in Warwickshire, which would then be used to fund support for victims and young people.
Mr Twomey said: “It is intended to hit gangs where it hurts – their pockets.
“The ‘two pronged’ attack will stifle gangs by seizing hundreds of thousands of pounds, and then using the proceeds to fund local projects that undermine them further.
“The most dangerous criminals are making millions in Warwickshire by exploiting children and people who can’t fend for themselves.
“Drugs gangs are wreaking havoc in our community and it is time we fought back. By seizing money from gangs, we can hit them where it hurts and reinvest this money back into protecting the county.
“I will prioritise arresting and prosecuting the bosses who sit at the top of the criminal gangs responsible. But I will also launch a sustained attack on their profits.
“Once seized, this money will not only pay the wages of the new team of financial investigators, but I will invest it in support for local people.”
Mr Twomey helped create a similar policy – dubbed ‘Operation Pound’ by police – while working on drugs policy for the neighbouring West Midlands Police Commissioner.
The money the West Midlands force seizes is also used to treat people for addiction to further undermine drugs gangs.
Mr Twomey will be challenging current Conservative Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe at May’s election.
