A major drugs crackdown in Wycombe saw 17 people arrested, £10,000 and five vehicles seized.

New Wycombe Local Policing Area (LPA) Superintendent Christina Berenger has wasted no time getting tough on drugs after taking on the role in January.

In a major five-day operation involving officers from Wycombe and beyond – including the Thames Valley Police mounted section – 17 people were arrested for drugs and associated crimes including possession of criminal property and supply of class A.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press about the successful operation, Supt Berenger said: “We seized a significant amount of cash – around £10,000 – and five vehicles for a number of related crimes. During the period of the operation we also saw a reduction in burglary and robbery.

“I want to repeat this sort of activity throughout the year – but we won’t tell them when that happens.”

The successful crackdown is part of the Thames Valley Police-wide Operation Stronghold, which targets organised crime groups in areas like firearms, money laundering, county drug lines, modern slavery and child sex abuse.

Supt Berenger added: “We know there are drugs everywhere in the force area, not just Wycombe. But I’m really keen for people to know we have been, and continue to, take this seriously.”

Drugs, knife crime, robbery and domestic violence and exploitation will all form part of the Wycombe LPA’s priorities for the coming year.

Cuckooing is also an issue seen in Wycombe and the Thames Valley in general – where drug dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people to use it as a base for dealing.

Supt Berenger said: “Cuckooing in Wycombe is not out of sync with other areas but it does exist. We’re fortunate to have a really proactive neighbourhood policing team who can identify vulnerable people. We also try to tackle that with Criminal Behaviour Orders and closure orders on properties.”

Speaking exclusively to the Bucks Free Press, Supt Berenger says she “absolutely loves” being back in Wycombe, after working as a PC dog handler here in 1997.

She returned to the town in January as the area’s new commander after working in both uniform and detective roles, largely in Berkshire.

She said: “I absolutely love it here. I haven’t been here in years but I’m so impressed with the can-do attitude of staff here who just really want to help.”