Report drug dealers

[Karenpoo]

i reported a local drug dealer to my local councillor who said he would speak to the police. Now I am anxious I may be called as a witness if anything were to happen. Please advise

What was your evidence?

It’s unlikely that anything will happen.

You would only be called to give evidence in court if you've given a witness statement to the police. Which you haven't.

They'd also have had to arrest, interview and charge a suspect. For that they need evidence which they won't currently have.

So panic over.

They have to have evidence of actual drug dealing for it to get to court, so drugs, mobile phones etc. And once they have that, they won’t need a statement from a third party.

Unless the police get a lot of physical evidence, nothing will be done. Do you know how many people get reported for drug dealing, malicious and not. There is absolutely no way anything will come from this

Thanks for your advise but i am a natural born worrier. What would happen if they eventually did ask for a witness staement from me and I refused to give one? I understand you can still be summons to court to give evidence even though I told the councillor not the police directly

What is baffling is why you went to a councillor and not the police given it is a crime.

and it is very very unlikely anything will come of it op. The councillor would have known that too

I’d be surprised if the councillor even went to the police

Honestly, if your Councillor is anything like the ones near me, they say all the right things but don’t act on it so would be really shocked if they went to the Police.

I agree more appropriate to report to police than a councillor.

However, if a similar situation comes up in the future and you are anxious about being identified, consider contacting crimestoppers.

I reported our dealers over 5 years to the police and also the councillors. One of them went to prison without me ever being contacted.

oh that's reassuring. Thank you.

It's unlikely you'll be a witness in court anyway. The police might use your info so they know somebody to investigate, but it'll be a stop-and-search or a sting that actually gets evidence to prosecute.

And street dealers are disposable pawns to the criminal gangs anyway.

In the event they did want you as a witness, if you're obviously uncooperative then if the prosecution have half a brain they won't call you.

I bet loads of other neighbours have reported them anyway. You won't be the only one.

My friend sent incriminating photos and car reg details for a dealer to the police and she didn't hear back. They will watch the dealer and get their own evidence.

Thank you all so much

Neither the councillor or the police will care one jot.

Ok I will try and let that put my mind at rest.

If nothing happens and it carries on you can report anonymously through crime stoppers, I know a friend who did this on their neighbours and police did raid and it sure they got sent down but friend was never even spoken too. At least doing it that way you know there's no way you will be contacted x

The only reason i spoke with the councillor was I have reported him 3 times over the course of a year to crimestoppers and nothing was done. He has brought nothing but trouble to an otherwise place

Police told me they can't make you go to court. Or give a witness statement

I heard from a solicitor that they can send a summons to make you go to court but you can be whats called a hostile witness and refuse to say anything in the witness stand

Due to stricter data protection in the uk, both the councillor as well as the police should keep your name and contact details completely confidential ( GDPR ).

So try not to worry too much about it as no one will risk their jobs and reputations over it, as to do so is career destroying so thats the reason for you not to panic.

Thank you

Can you tell me if anyone who works at the DWP can just have a look at your details if they know you