Drug Driving

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Drug taking, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

On 04/11/2025, PC OSBORNE from the Honiton Neighbourhood Team was conducting proactive patrols around the rural roads of the Blackdown Hills. During his patrol he located a male acting suspiciously in a vehicle parked down a farm track. The male told PC OSBORNE he was making a phone call but it was quickly established this was not the truth. The male and his vehicle was detained under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for a search of him and his vehicle. The search uncovered cannabis residue in the vehicle and a knife. A preliminary drugs wipe was conducted with the driver which provided a positive sample for cannabis. The driver was promptly arrested for s.5A of the Road Traffic Act (driving under the influence of drugs) and possession of an offensive weapon in public.
Honiton Neighbourhood Team take knife crime and drug driving very seriously and offenders will face the full extent of the law if caught committing these offences. The Team often conduct proactive patrols of rural country roads to deter and identify these offences.

The illicit drugs market is big business, worth an estimated £9.4 billion a year and drug deaths have reached an all-time. Taking the health harms, costs of crime and wider impacts on society together, it is estimated the total costs of drugs to society are over £19 billion, which is more than twice the value of the market itself.

If you are adversely affected by antisocial behaviour in your community associated with drug use, The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 outlines the flexible tools and powers that the police, local authorities and other local agencies can use to respond quickly and effectively to antisocial behaviour.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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