CANNABIS CULTURE SPELLS DOOMS

CHILDREN as young as 11 have been caught smoking cannabis in Burnley Wood -
potentially the start of a slippery slope on the road to harder drugs and a
life of crime.

That is the worry of police who face a daily struggle confronting
drug-associated crime in one of Burnley's most deprived areas.

Such is Burnley Wood's drugs problem that at least one warrant a month is
carried out by police who have blamed drug addiction for the recent callous
burglary at Springfield Primary School, where UKP10,000, worth of vital
computers were stolen.

Community bobbies PC John Fisher and Police Community Support Officer Bill
Ogden face a daily struggle tackling:

the supply and taking of drugs;

anti-social behaviour;

children, excluded and suspended from school, roaming the streets during
the daytime;

dog-fouling, and problems associated with run-down properties.

The school burglary has particularly upset the two community bobbies who
have pledged not to rest until the burglars are caught.

PC Fisher said: "Burnley Wood is a very deprived area and school was one of
the few occasions children had to use computers.

Whenever we talked to them, they said computer lessons were always their
favourite. We believe local people have committed this burglary, which is
very sad because they are stealing off their own children. We have an idea
who might be responsible, and we are awaiting forensic results."

PC Fisher said that the regular warrants have been successful and that
Burnley Wood is now discovering a drought of heroin supply as dealers have
become cautious at entering the area.

In April alone, five drugs warrants were carried out, resulting in three
arrests. But the police have stressed that they need as much information
from the public as possible to convince magistrates there is enough
evidence to grant a warrant.

And even when one problem disappears, another emerges. I accompanied the
pair on their daily patrol round the streets of Burnley Wood, and
discovered just how busy they are kept. We encountered several youngsters
excluded from school, roaming the streets. PC Fisher believes a growing
lack of respect - and discipline from parents - is a big factor behind
youth problems.

He said: "When children are brought up in an environment where drugs are
the norm, it is not surprising that they themselves become involved in
criminal activity.

"That is why the cannabis issue is worrying."