Travellers helped police catch dealer (From Warrington Guardian)

Travellers helped police catch dealer

A DEALER who sold drugs in Northwich was arrested within days of setting up business after travellers helped officers apprehend him.

James Edward Cook, 19, of Huyton, Liverpool, was arrested on Saturday, August 6, after being spotted acting suspiciously in the London Road area by officers from the Western Area Proactive Policing Team (PPT).

The officers followed the teenager with the intention of stopping and searching him but he ran off before they could catch him.

Fortunately, two middle-aged traveller men passing by in a vehicle noticed the chase and turned their vehicle so it faced the suspect, forcing him to slow down and change his course.

The travellers continued to follow the man in their vehicle and once again blocked his path.

This enabled an officer chasing on foot to catch up with the suspect, who was then restrained by the officer with the help of the travellers and a middle-aged man who was also passing by.

A later search of the suspect revealed he was in possession of 140 street deals of heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of around £1,400.

During questioning he told police he had started dealing in the area on August 4.

Det Sgt Liam Furlong, from the PPT, said: "The assistance of the men in this case was vital and I'd personally like to thank them for their support.

"Obviously we wouldn't recommend everyone to start chasing suspicious people, however on this occasion it was clear that officers were on the case and on hand to deal with the situation."

Cook has been charged with supplying heroin between August 4 and 5; supplying crack cocaine between August 4 and 5; supplying heroin on August 6; supplying crack cocaine on August 6; possession of heroin with intent to supply on August 6 and possession of crack cocaine on August 6.

He has admitted all the offences and has been remanded in custody until September 6 when he will appear at Chester Crown Court.