Over £36,000 has been provided to Thames Valley Police for this new pilot scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has awarded over £36,000 to fund a Drugs Co-ordinator role as part of a pilot scheme.
The Drugs Co-ordinator role, which will sit within the Force’s Forensic department, will manage many aspects of a case in order to expedite them in a quicker time frame.
One of the Drug Co-ordinator’s responsibilities will be to analyse drugs via spectrometry in order to complement presumptive drug testing.
Spectrometry is the measurement of the interactions between light and matter, and the reactions and measurements of radiation intensity and wavelength.
They will also provide an examination strategy to investigators, in order to obtain the evidence necessary.
Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “I am delighted to have been able to provide this funding for the creation of a Drugs Co-ordinator role within Thames Valley Police.
“This pilot scheme will improve the timeliness of drugs-related cases across Thames Valley. I am therefore delighted to be able to award this exceptional funding to help support this Pilot and, in turn, keep our communities safe.”
According to Plumplot, the number of drug-related crime has increased by 26.1% in Milton Keynes compared to last year.
Kay Hannam, Head of Forensic Services, said: “The Forensic Investigation Unit are excited at the prospect to pilot this new scientific approach to support the force with tackling Drug Crime in our communities.
“We are extremely grateful to the Police & Crime Commissioner for realising this opportunity.”
Funding received has been secured through the Community Safety Fund (CSF).
This is limited funding that the Police and Crime Commissioner has access to via the Home Office, Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Police Property Act Funds.
The funding is designed to support innovative ideas and this new Thames Valley Police pilot scheme qualified due to fitting the criteria.
