DRUG offences in Woking have nearly doubled in the last year despite crime in general dropping across borough.
Figures from the Home Office show an 8.2 per cent reduction in crime for the period April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012 - despite an 88.1 per cent increase in drug-related incidents.
Surrey Police implemented crack downs such as Operation Hibiscus to help tackle Woking's growing drug problem.
As a direct result, the number of drug offences reported soared from 269 the previous year to 506.
But Neighbourhood Commander Inspector John Davies said he was pleased with the report.
He said: “Woking continues to be a safe place to live and work and this is reflected in the drop in total crime across the borough.
"Although we have made significant reductions in crime, we are not complacent and we will continue to work closely with our partners and other agencies to keep crime low.
“I am particularly pleased to see the rise in the number of drug offences which came as a direct result of Operation Hibiscus, which set out to tackle drug dealers in Woking.
“Officers continue to target those involved in the possession, supply and selling of illegal Class A drugs head on and associated offences.
“Similarly, the 36.7 per cent fall in non-domestic burglaries demonstrates the work of officers to stem the associated offending which was a further aim of Operation Hibiscus.”
Statistics also show an 37.3 per cent decrease in violence with injury offences, figures Insp Davies attributes to the initiation of Operation Dogmatic and Operation Nightguard, both of which aimed to tackle crime and address anti-social behaviour on the streets.
“The Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to work with our partners to tackle crime and offending and to respond to local neighbourhood issues. We will be proactive and I will be focusing on maintaining this fall in offending throughout the borough.”
Woking Borough Council’s portfolio holder for community Safety, Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, added: “These figures not only reveal that crime and disorder across the Borough continues to fall, but by taking a multi-agency approach, the
“Safer Woking Partnership continues to make our borough a safer place to live, work and visit.”