EXPERT drug witnesses from across the Yorkshire and Humber region took part in a training exercise to increase their awareness of organised crime.

They were briefed by the head of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YH ROCU) over four days, in a project organised by the YH ROCU Regional Drug Expert Witnesses Working Group,

The Group highlighted the vital roles expert witnesses perform in a wide-range of key investigations, from county lines probes to modern day slavery prosecutions.

The crimes discussed included cuckooing of victims in their own homes – which is when drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base to carry out their activities.

The event, held at West Yorkshire Police’s Carr Gate complex in Wakefield, was delivered by Tony Saggers, the former head of the National Crime Agency’s Threat and Intelligence (Drugs).

Det Chief Supt Carl Galvin, head of the Y&H ROCU, said: “Expert witnesses play a key role in informing our investigations and provide significant insight for senior investigating officers on matters such as illicit business models and more.

“They are vitally important in tackling the misery that drugs cause across our communities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“I am pleased that we have been able to fully brief them as part of their continuing professional development.”