A SUSPECTED teenage drug dealer was arrested after patrolling officers spotted a package being exchanged in a protected Coventry park, report West Midlands Police.
Neighbourhood PCs were patrolling in Edgwick Park, Foleshill, on Saturday night (March 6) when they allegedly saw a drug deal taking place.
They followed a man into Foleshill Road where he was detained and a large package of cannabis found hidden inside his trousers.
A ‘burner’ phone and weighing scales were also recovered from the 19-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply.
The 19-year-old suspect has been released under investigation to allow police more time to forensically analyse the recovered phone.
West Midlands Police said the force has carried out a lot of work in Edgwick Park in recent years alongside Coventry City Council, to secure a Public Space Protection Order as part of ongoing efforts to rid it of anti-social behaviour and drugs crime.
This allows officers to move on groups of two or more if they engage in anti-social behaviour. Dispersal Orders are also regularly enforced in the park at weekend to ban people whose behaviour is a cause for concern.
Foleshill Police Sergeant Asa Morris said: “We’ve improved lighting, opened the park up by removing bushes, knocked down an old toilet block that was attracting drug misuse and put in more CCTV cameras.
“It’s an important open space for people to get exercise, enjoy and bring their children – and we will take a firm stance on anyone who threatens that or makes people feel uneasy.
“Edgwick Park is a key part of our patrol strategy and will continue to be so.
“If anyone sees any suspicious activity in the area then please call us on 999 so we can take action.”
