Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East, yesterday congratulated Superintendent Stuart Greenfield and his team in the House of Commons on the successful Orts Road drugs bust, which has led to the conviction of the £4 million a year turnover drugs gang, totalling 34 years in prison.
The Home Office Minister for Crime and Security, James Brokenshire MP, joined Mr Wilson in celebrating the raid and the subsequent convictions, by congratulating Reading Police at Home Office Questions.
During the session Mr Wilson said: “I congratulate Superintendent Stuart Greenfield and his team in Reading on their recent drugs bust in Orts road, which resulted in a drugs gang with a yearly turnover of £4 million being jailed for a total of 34 years. Will my hon. Friend join me in those congratulations and Does he agree that with focus, determination and resources directed at the front line, it is possible to tackle serious and organised crime and to clear up the fear in our local communities?”
To which the Minister replied: “I am happy to congratulate the police on that work in Reading. My hon. Friend has highlighted the fact that serious and organised crime touches communities directly.”
Commenting on the congratulations in the House, Mr Wilson said: “Superintendent Greenfield and all his team deserve thanks for their work in bringing the Orts Road gang to justice. This was an issue I constantly raised with TVP over a number of years on behalf of constituents because Labour had failed to act in a focused manner. To his enormous credit Supt Greenfield acted on my request immediately and has achieved spectacular results. I am delighted that this achievement has been recognised in the House of Commons by the Crime Minister.
“I know that further work and court cases are ongoing as the Police bring those involved lower down the pecking order to justice. But the Police have shown a determination and conviction to tackle the big challenges head on, directing resources to the front line where it is needed. I hope it sends out a clear message to drugs gangs that the police in Reading will track you down, shut you down and then bring you down.”