Moves to drive drug dealers out of community

The project aims to raise community awareness of how drug dealing can be reported confidentially and how the police and their partners can act upon it.

The scheme will initially focus on the West Bowling area where only four calls out a hundred to Crimestoppers are about drugs, despite the issue being identified as a priority for residents.

To encourage more people to come forward, a drug information event is being held at 6pm today at Newby Primary School.

The school's headteacher, Mike Latham, and Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Darren Minton are co-ordinating the project.

Mr Latham said: "By working with the community I am convinced we can bring about a long-term change in West Bowling and with it a safer environment for local families."

Inspector Minton urged people living in the area to report drug dealing to the police.

He said: "Drug dealing is a problem which can affect everyone's lives in some way and can have significant harm on the communities it blights.

"A number of posters have now been created that are being personally delivered to residents in the area by local officers. They will be speaking to them about their issues and discussing any particular worries.

"We know through local meetings about the specific concerns residents have and the posters provide some myth-busting facts to address these.

"For instance, there is a belief that those who report drug dealers will be targeted. We have made clear in the posters that Crimestoppers is anonymous and even the police will not know who has called."

If the pilot project proves to be a success, it could be rolled out in other areas of Bradford.

Anyone who suspects drug dealing is going on is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.