'Ring of steel against county lines' crime plea in Harrogate and North Yorkshire

Keith Tordoff MBE, the only independent to announce his intention to stand in May's election, said too many young people were being drawn into 'vile operations.'

Mr Tordoff, a former police officer and chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said: "The scourge of the drugs county lines must be stopped.

"The drug dealers looking to bring their vile operations into North Yorkshire must be targeted to prevent them drawing the vulnerable into their web.

"The misery the illegal drugs inflict on communities is almost immeasurable.

"Young children are being drawn into the criminal justice system and violence, including the increasing trend of young people carrying knives, is placing a burden on an already stretched National Health service.

"If I am elected, North Yorkshire will be defended with a ring of steel as far as keeping out drug dealers is concerned."

Mr Tordoff, who was a Leeds-based police officer in the 1970s and 80s, said If elected Police Fire and Crime Commissioner in the May election, he would work tirelessly with the Chief Constable and neighbouring police forces to robustly protect North Yorkshire from the growing trend of drug dealers targeting the county.

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