Man arrested in "protected" Coventry Park
Neighbourhood PCs were patrolling in Edgwick Park, Foleshill, on Saturday (6th March) night when they spotted what they believed was a drug deal taking place.
West Midlands Police have arrested a suspected drug dealer after patrol officers spotted a package being exchanged in a Coventry park.
Officers 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.
West Midlands Police and Coventry City Council, secured a Public Space Protection Order which means officers can move on groups of two or more if they engage in anti-social behaviour.
And they also use Dispersal Orders in the park at weekends to keep people safe and 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."
The 19-year-old has been released under investigation to allow us more time to forensically analyse the recovered phone.