Dark curse ravaging ‘UK's best high street' as pregnant mums targeted & criminals stamp sinister QR codes to lamp posts
PERCHED on a bench and sprawled on the manicured grass, four men and a women enjoy a loud animated conversation, swearing and oblivious to the young families nearby as they puff on cannabis joints.
They're soon joined by a dealer who brazenly rattles through his drug menu: 'I've got C (cocaine), keti-cut (ketamine cut with cocaine), xans (the antidepressant Xanax) gabbies (pregabalin – a prescription drug often used for epilepsy), anything you need,' he says.
15
15
It's the kind of illegal trade that draws regular users to Pride Hill in Shrewsbury town centre - a sad indication of how a sharp rise in cocaine and drug use is blighting the area boasting 'Britain's best high street' according to The Telegraph.
No longer an after-dark secret in sprawling social housing estates, brazenly buying and selling gear in broad daylight just off the main pedestrianised shopping area is a common sight in Shrewsbury.
'It's like a drop-in centre for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do,' says a builder working in the town centre, pointing to the group.
'People know not to go near them because they can be aggressive if they're not asleep.
'Sadly it's a sign of the times. It's school half term and people are going into the castle grounds with their children without realising what's happening.'
In nearby Wyle Cop, a charming shopping street lined with 39 listed buildings, retired aerospace worker John Edwards, 70, points out evidence of how dark web drug marketing has evolved to open websites.
Silver stickers embossed with QR codes are plastered on public litter bins, bus stops and lampposts in the town - recently named the best place to live in Shropshire and one of the best in the Midlands by The Sunday Times.
'You see these stickers all over the place, advertising drugs with QR codes,' he says. 'A smartphone scan links you to websites selling drugs.
'Every time I see one I scrape them off, but they just seem to reappear.'
John, who spruces signs and bus shelters on a voluntary basis and is a regular sight in the town with his cleaning trolley, says drug use there is not easy to stamp out.
Horror as delivery driver, 23, is 'ambushed & killed by gang armed with blades and blunt objects' in Shrewsbury
15
15
15
'I would say it's far more prevalent than ever here in Shrewsbury,' he tells The Sun.
'You might see the odd car stopping and people on the street, but they're gone before anyone reports them.
'I know there have been issues with country lines dealers who come out of Wrexham and Merseyside probably knowing they can drum up trade in the shires.'
Ron, 64, who runs a key cutting business in the town centre says drug abuse has risen in the town.
'I have a homeless bloke who sells cocaine and other drugs but is harmless. I don't know where he stays but he often pops in for a coffee,' he says.
'Drugs are all over the place, not just in Shrewsbury. If you go up the hill at the side of the castle, you can often see evidence of empty wrappers littered on the ground.'
Pregnant women targeted
A 60-year-old local midwife, who asks not to be named, says she sees first-hand the heartbreaking evidence of increased cocaine use among young pregnant women when she carries out antenatal screening.
'There is a definite rise in cocaine and ketamine use among youngsters living in social housing,' she says.
'I see it as part of my job. I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something.
'These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies, like premature birth, growth defects and eye development.'
I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something. These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies
Local midwife
Trainee chef Grant Lewis, 18, says the homeless population in particular are being targeted by drug gangs.
'I know the police try to crack down on county line dealing across Shrewsbury and Shropshire, but the organised crime gangs will always go where there's money to be made and people to be exploited,' he says.
'You can see people blatantly taking drugs in the daytime in town and you can smell the weed in the air.'
His girlfriend, student Abi-Lou Foster, 19, says even though she and Grant don't drink and have never taken drugs, she knows friends who take cocaine without thinking of the long-term addictive consequences.
'To be honest, I don't even think they do it out of boredom,' she says. 'It's more that they think it's cool to do it, even though they get out of control and have to find the money to pay for it.
'I live in Market Drayton and sadly, the use of cocaine seems a lot more common there.'
15
15
15
15
Stench of weed
Retired manufacturing worker Martin Kerr, 66, says dealers often turned up in cars in the Brunel Drive area of Shrewsbury or do deals on the nearby bridge.
'I think things are the same in any UK town now because there's so much poverty and homelessness,' he says.
'It's a shame because Shrewsbury is a lovely place to live, but I suppose you're always going to get some areas where there's a demand for drugs.'
Taxi driver Paul Ryder, 64, is used to ferrying passengers who sometimes ask him to wait around the corner from where they are meeting dealers.
I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window
Taxi driver Paul Ryder
'Cocaine, ketamine and cannabis use is common nowadays,' he says.
'I see dealers pull up in big expensive cars when I drop off passengers. I mind my own business because I don't want any trouble, but I refuse to take anyone who looks like they're on something.
'I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window.
'Towns like Shrewsbury are fair game for county line suppliers. It's a different world now.'
Depending on the dealer, cocaine can be picked up for around £40 a half gram, £80 a gram or three half gram bags for £100. Cannabis is around £10 a gram.
£80million haul
15
15
In February this year, four men in their 30s, 40s and 60s were arrested and released on bail after a huge haul of cocaine worth £80million was recovered as part of a National Crime Agency investigation.
The suspects were arrested in the sleepy Shropshire village of Merrington after Border Force searched a shipping container and found 847.5 kilos of the Class A drug on December 23 at Tilbury Docks in Essex.
A woman in her 40s was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering and released under investigation.
Last October two men were jailed for a total of nine years for their part in a county lines drugs operation in Shrewsbury.
Connor Sholliker, 24, of Wilson Road in Prescot, Merseyside was sentenced to six years for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs - crack cocaine and heroin.
And Kaine Currens, 23, of Manor Road in Hadley, Telford was handed a three-year sentence for being concerned in the supply of the same substances.
The pair were sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court following a proactive investigation by the local organised crime team.
It was quickly established that both men were part of the 'Kev' county line, which operated from Merseyside and was responsible for bringing large quantities of class A drugs into Shrewsbury.
Evidence showed both men had links to phone numbers identified as drug lines used to run the dealing network.
As part of their operation they targeted vulnerable young people and used their homes as a base for their drug dealing - a practice known as 'cuckooing'.
Following their conviction, Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said drugs were a blight on the community and ruined lives.
'We're constantly working to rid our streets of drugs and I'm glad that we've been able to dismantle this line and that Sholliker and Currens will now face time behind bars for their part in it.
We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously
West Mercia Police spokesperson
'The local community are key in helping us to tackle drug dealing and I'd always urge anyone with any information or concerns about drug dealing or drug use in their area to let us know.'
Last June two men were handed confiscation orders at Shrewsbury Crown Court after being jailed in September 2023 for multiple drugs offences.
Drugs with an estimated street value of between £100k -£120k and £72,916 cash were seized in April 2023 after police carried out warrants at two properties in Shrewsbury.
According to the latest data, the crime rate in the Marshalls Court area of Shrewsbury is 2.76 times higher than the town average, with drug and gun-related crimes 3.66 times higher.
In Barleyfield, the crime rate is 2.26 times higher than the Shrewsbury average with drug and gun-related crimes 1.49 times higher.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: 'The use of drugs is unfortunately an issue in all towns and cities across the UK.
'We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously.
'Drug dealers prey on some of the most vulnerable people in society and their presence in turn causes more crime such as shoplifting, burglary and anti-social behaviour.
'Our officers continue to work hard to prevent and tackle drug use by engaging with our local communities, as well as working close with partners including the NHS, housing providers and local drug support charities.
'Where appropriate, we can and do take robust action against those who supply drugs.'
Cllr Alex Wagner, Shropshire Council deputy leader said: "Shrewsbury is a fantastic and historic town but sadly has the same issues as so many others – in the town centre, the impact of drug use can sometimes be quite visible.
'Public Health in Shropshire has a Partnership approach in place as part of the Safeguarding Community Partnership. There is a Tackling Drugs and Alcohol Group which is attended by a number of organisations, such as Public Health, Police, Homelessness and Drug and Alcohol services.
'The group looks to address how the footprint meets the National Strategy - From Harm to Hope.
"In Shropshire there is a very clear harm reduction perspective, with early help and recovery services supporting those most vulnerable at its centre.
"If you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, the Shropshire Council website details what support is available.'
15
15
15
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gloucestershire officer in 'unexplained' death whilst on duty
A police officer has died under "unexplained" and "non-suspicious" circumstances whilst on Ian Minett from Gloucestershire Constabulary died whilst on duty on have said the coroner has been Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said the constabulary has been "saddened" by the news and extends her "thoughts and prayers" to his family and friends. "Gloucestershire Constabulary is saddened to report the death of PC Ian Minett whilst on duty on Saturday," Ms Barrow-Grint"PC Minett's death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious and the Coroner has been informed."We extend our thoughts and prayers to PC Minett's family, friends, and colleagues, and we ask that his family are given privacy at this difficult time."
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ferne McCann enjoys glam day at the races as jailed acid attacker ex caught being injected with drugs
FERNE McCann enjoyed a picture-perfect day at the races as her ex Arthur Collins was embroiled in a prison drug scandal. The TOWIE alum gushed over her "gorgeous' day at Royal Ascot as she posted a series of images showing her in a plunging mint green gown. 7 7 7 Yet, at the same time, The Sun exclusively reported how the father to her seven-year-old daughter Sunday, who was jailed for an acid attack, had been caught getting a suspected steroid injection in his cell. Video of Arthur Collins, 32, taken on a smuggled phone, came as he was linked to drug drops by drone at jails in Herts and Greater Manchester. Meanwhile, mum of two Ferne, 34, was letting her hair down at the iconic annual sporting event. In her caption, she ignored the breaking scandal and wrote: "Royal Ascot you were gorgeous. "One of my favourite days. No big wins sadly although I did pocket £14.50, better than nothing right. "Thank you for having me @ascotracecourse @hunt_communications here's to next year." Images showed her in a plunging silk slip dress with cap sleeve detail and a ruched design on the front which accentuated her toned figure. Ferne paired the frock with white point-toe wedge shoes and a feathered fascinator. She left her brunette locks in natural waves flowing over her shoulders and kept her make-up natural. Ferne welcomed eldest daughter Sunday with acid attacker Arthur in 2017. Earlier that year, Ferne's then-boyfriend Arthur was charged with a London nightclub acid attack that happened in April. Ferne announced her pregnancy shortly after his arrest, stating the relationship was over and that she planned to raise their baby alone. Eight years ago, Arthur was found guilty of five counts of grievous bodily harm and nine of actual bodily harm, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars with an extra five on licence. TOWIE STARS SPIN OFF WITH the announcement TOWIE will return in 2025 for two new series, it's good news for some former ITVBE stars, too TWO of the show's best loved former stars will celebrate their own big life moments with a spin off series featuring Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou. Their new show title is currently unconfirmed. The pair, who first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014, finally say 'I Do' in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment. The show will follow on from the success of their Baby Steps series. JAIL JAB This weekend, we reported how Arthur appeared to be seen being injected in his bum in his jail cell. In the clip, he is asked, 'Hey, bruv, what are you doing?', by a fellow prisoner — before replying: 'Injecting.' The exchange was caught on our exclusive video, showing laughing Arthur apparently receiving a jab in his buttock from another lag. He could face disciplinary action after the body-building drug was seemingly sneaked into the jail, along with a handset used to record footage in his cell. Collins was recently switched from The Mount Prison — where the footage was taken — amid fears he was plotting to import drugs using drones. And it comes after a jail anti-corruption team found illicit items at his new home — HMP Buckley Hall, near Rochdale. A source said: 'Collins has been in trouble constantly and doesn't seem to care. He goes around like he is the big 'I am' and as if he rules the roost.' His actions will sicken the 22 victims of his 2017 attack when he hurled acid across in an East London nightclub — leaving 16 people with serious burns. 7 7 7
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'Evil' student sentenced to life in jail for drugging and raping multiple women
One of Britain's worst rapists suspected of targeting over 60 victims has been jailed for life. Chinese student Zhenhao Zou, 28, was described as an 'evil' sexual predator who hid behind a 'charming mask' as he was imprisoned for a minimum of 24 years for drugging and raping ten women in London and China during his time as a student at University College London. Following his conviction in March, detectives revealed they had evidence relating to suspected attacks on another 50 women after uncovering a sickening collection of trophy videos kept by the engineering PhD student as a souvenir. A further 24 victims came forward to say they were raped by Zou while he was studying in the UK. He filmed some of his victims in sick home videos that he kept of his attacks. Victims told how they were 'haunted' by the sickening attacks as a judge said the sexual deviant had treated unconscious women like 'sex toys' for his own pleasure. Inner London Crown Court heard that Zou had offered to be chemically castrated to avoid a life sentence. However, Judge Rosina Cottage said he would always be a risk to the public because of his 'sexual interest' in 'asserting power and control over women', and added that his victims were just 'pieces in an elaborate game'. Upon sentencing him to life, Judge Cottage said: 'The charming mask hid the fact that you are also a sexual predator.' The son of a wealthy Chinese Communist Party official and industrialist, Zou stalked student bars, accommodation, and online dating apps for victims, plying unsuspecting women with drinks laced with drugs. He lured the women back to his lavish student apartment in East London with the promise of a party or help with studies, before stupefying them with drink and drugs until they fell unconscious, enabling him to film his sickening attacks on hidden bedroom spy cameras. One victim, who Zou had described as 'the perfect girlfriend choice', recalled waking in a strange room after going to a drinking party in 2021. The victim said: 'I experienced for the first time a loss of consciousness. I opened my eyes for a few seconds during the sexual assault in [Zou's] room, he was thrusting violently against my body. I was completely powerless and could only use all my strength to demand he stop. 'Although I lost consciousness just moments later, his face in that moment will clearly stay in my mind forever.' She later awoke naked next to him: 'Panic surged through me-everything about the room I was in was unfamiliar and I had no memory of how I got there. 'That night, it was as if the world had vanished from my life for hours. 'I will never forgive him.' TV appearance: Zou boasted of his sexual prowess and appeared on a dating show in China Another app: A Tinder profile where he appeared under a different name Disturbingly, many of the women targeted may not realize they had been raped as some of Zou's home videos showed his captives so incapacitated that he was able to slap one victim around the face without them rousing. Zou unwittingly left a treasure trove of evidence for officers by recording the attacks for his own twisted gratification and hoarding personal items stolen from victims, ranging from underwear and lipstick, to a Chanel earring. Out of it: Zou's home videos showed his captives so incapacitated that he was able to slap one victim around the face without them rousing By the time of his trial, only two of the ten victims had been identified by police, but now detectives have traced a third victim. Detectives have established from the video clips seized that there are at least another 50 unknown women attacked. One victim said the attack in his London flat in May 2023 had a 'severe impact' on her mental health, resulting in her self-harming to try to manage the pain. The judge said of her case: 'Outrageously, she was trolled on social media for having bravely warned others. It has rocked her to her core, she feels guilt for your behavior, you (Zou) feel no shame.' Found: A number of other illicit substances were also recovered by police Another victim in China described being 'gagged by shame' and 'haunted' by nightmares following the attack. On June 19, jurors who had earlier wept upon seeing the distressing rape videos returned to Inner London Crown Court to see him sentenced. Bespectacled Zou wore a navy suit and tie and he stared at jurors, showing no emotion as he was jailed. Contraceptives: Zou kept a large collection of condoms in a Louis Vuitton box Facade: He mostly posed as a diligent student Scotland Yard began investigating Zou in November 2023 after a woman reported him for rape. When officers examined his digital devices, they uncovered over 1,600 hours of videos. Victims living in Britain, China, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe have since come forward. Chillingly, Zou said the victims in his videos were only pretending to be asleep as he enjoyed 'time-stop' pornography. Saira Pike, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Zou is a serial rapist and a danger to women. His life sentence reflects the heinous acts and harm he caused to women and the danger he posed to society.'
