Hastings pair arrested as police investigate reports of drug dealing in park

Police said they made the arrests after responding to community concerns around drug dealing in an area of the town.

Officers have targeted patrols in the Linton Gardens area after receiving a number of reports of suspicious behaviour in the vicinity.

Police said shortly after noon on Monday (June 22), plain-clothed officers were on duty in the area when they saw a man and a boy sat in the park.

The officers observed the pair, and saw a number of suspected drug deals take place.

Police said the 34-year-old man and 17-year-old boy were both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

A quantity of wraps containing Class A drugs were also seized.

Both the man and the boy were released on conditional bail until July 20 while enquiries continue.

Police said officers have since received two emails from members of the public thanking them for listening to residents and taking action.

One email from a woman, who called police to report drug dealing in the area, said the community feels as if its concerns are being taken seriously.

A second email said: “Linton Gardens in Hastings has seen a huge rise recently in drug dealing and consumption. On Sunday, despite the park being full of families, children and neighbours, it escalated alarmingly.

“A large presence of police in Linton Gardens resulted in searches and arrests. We are grateful.”

Inspector Aidan Cornwall, of the Hastings prevention team, said: “We take reports of drug dealing in Hastings very seriously, and we are committed to listening to residents’ concerns and acting on them.

“Our officers made Linton Gardens a priority area for their patrols after we received a number of reports of drug dealing taking place in the area. As a result, we were able to arrest two people and seize a quantity of dangerous drugs as well.

“We continue to urge people to get in touch with us if they think criminal activity is taking place in their community.”

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