A two-year-old toddler was taken into care after her cannabis-smoking father was arrested for being under the influence of drugs.
The young girl was taken to a safe house after neighbourhood officers stopped her dad in Henry Street, Chatham, at 8.35pm on Thursday, October 29.
The 22-year-old man, who was pushing the girl in a pram, admitted to having smoked cannabis and possessing a wrap of heroin.
The girl’s mother was called and after checks by the police and social workers, including a visit to her home, she was allowed to take her daughter home.
Officers later released the father with a police caution.
Medway Council’s children and adult services director Rose Collinson said: “Our absolute priority is that children and young people are safe and cared for.
“Operation Stay Safe is a piece of important partnership work to help ensure this can happen.
“The two-year-old was returned to her mother and family who were shocked and very upset about the danger she had been put in.
“Medway's children's services will support the family to ensure the child's future safety.”
Medway police Insp Simon Alland, in charge of Operation Stay Safe, said: “The safety and wellbeing of children was the main priority for this operation.
“This proved justified with our intervention around a number of young people including the two year old child who was found in the care of someone who was unfit to care for her.”
Operation Stay Safe, being trialled for the first time in Kent, had Kent Police in Medway working alongside Medway Council’s social services, safer communities, youth service and young offending team plus Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
The main areas targeted included the All Saints, Weedswood and Wayfield areas of Chatham in response to concern from residents.
Provisional figures show police patrols identified 45 young people aged under 16 who were out late at night and considered to be at risk of becoming victims of crime or being drawn into criminal behaviour.
Of these 12 were taken directly home by police with a further three taken to the designated safe place where staff were on standby.
In these cases parents were then informed and asked to collect their children.
Chief Superintendent Steve Corbishley, area commander for Kent Police in Medway and the chair of Medway Community Safety Partnership, said: “Operation Stay Safe has proved elsewhere in the UK and for the first time here in Medway an effective way of protecting our youngest citizens from getting involved or being a victim of anti-social behaviour.”
“This operation is another example of positive partnership working in Medway. The council’s social services and Youth Offending Team worked alongside Kent Police officers to identify vulnerable youngsters and to target known hot spots in Chatham.
“These types of operations will not only reduce the risk of young people getting into trouble, but at the same time reduce the fear of crime that gatherings of youngsters can often cause to the wider community.”
Medway Council’s community safety boss Rehman Chishti said: “The council are pleased to have played a part in this operation, as we work to reduce fear of crime and reassure our residents that we do listen and will act on their concerns to ensure Medway continues to be a safe place to live, work and socialise.”
POSTED: 02/11/2009 10:12:21
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