EXETER RESIDENTS IN PARK DRUGS PROTEST

A protest has been staged at a city park in a bid to force out drug
dealers.

Members of Bury Meadow Residents' Association, Exeter Parks Watch,
and St David's Neighbourhood Partnership combined to protest against
what they described as open drug-dealing at Bury Meadow.

The protesters stood outside the park, in New North Road, opposite
Exeter College, waving placards and using a public address system to
get their message across.

Christine Fraser, a committee member with St David's Neighbourhood
Partnership, said: "We have a huge problem across Exeter, but this
park in particular has become a focal point for drug-taking.

"The police are wonderful and work closely with us and do what they
can to eliminate it but it does need a co-ordinated action."

She added: "We have talked a lot to the president of the Students'
Union at Exeter College and they recognise the park has become a no-go
area and that is sad.

"They have every right to use the park and it should be an area of
recreation and pleasure for them.

"We are hoping our protests will help raise the profile of the problem
of drug-dealing in the park and blatant dealing in front of everyone."

Susan Lawrence, chairwoman of Exeter Parks Watch, said: "Bury Meadow
park is a greatly valued amenity in our community but unfortunately it
continues to be a meeting place for regular drug-users and
drug-dealers.

"At the recent St James ward Partners and Communities Together
meeting, the problem of drug-dealing was given highest priority."

Police Community Support Officer Sarah Giles, who covers the St James
area, said she was aware of the problem.

"The residents are one of our greatest allies in monitoring the
situation and helping us fight it," she said.

"They are all on the end of a phone and know how important it is to
call in any information. If it doesn't get phoned in, it does not
exist as a statistic."

PCSO Giles added: "Lots of students are nervous about using the park
but I would encourage them to use it in the safest way possible. The
more people use it, the harder it is for people to go unnoticed."

Anyone with any information on the drug-dealing can contact PCSO Giles
on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.