Man charged with further offences in Hitchin

A man arrested and charged following a recent stop and search has been charged with more offences.

Abdul Kasim, aged 22, of Icknield Way in Letchworth Garden City, was stopped and searched in Ransoms Recreational Park in Hitchin on Tuesday 16 August. Drugs and a knife were seized and he has been charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article.

This follows on from an incident on Thursday 11 August where he had been stopped and searched by plain-clothed officers from Operation Scorpion* who were carrying out proactive patrols in Windmill Hill in the town. He was arrested and subsequently charged with possession of a knife and cannabis.

Following further investigation, he has also been charged with two more offences from the arrest on 11 August. These are possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Kasim was refused bail and appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court on Thursday 17 August. He has been remanded into custody ahead of his next court hearing on Monday 19 September.

Detective Inspector Ben Smith, from the North Herts Local Crime Unit, said: "Our Operation Scorpion team continue to robustly target those that bring pain and suffering to communities. The supply and use of drugs often lead to acquisitive crime and violence and we are committed in North Herts to reducing crime and making our streets safer. Information from the public is valuable to ensure that we can effectively target those responsible and benefiting from crime.