TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN WAR ON DRUGS

The Bath Chronicle today launched its Shop a Pusher phone line aimed at
driving drug dealers out of the city.

The 24-hour line is being manned by Bath police and is a confidential way
for people to inform investigators of any drugs-related activity they see
or know about.

Police have welcomed the initiative as they battle to crack down on dealers
and rid the city of drug-related crime.

And they hope that knowledge of the line will deter dealers from operating
in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Bill said: "The existence of this line may
tell the drug dealer that 'it's not just the police watching me, it's the
community as well'.

"And it may just give us that golden nugget of intelligence, and that's
what we're after."

He urged callers to be patient when awaiting results of the information
that has been passed on. It can take months for intelligence to be built up
to the level where arrests can be made.

The scheme has also been welcomed by Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service,
which aims to help rehabilitate users.

Director Vicki Morris said:

"The people who will benefit will be the police in terms of the work they
do. It's something we would definitely welcome. Avon and Somerset Police do
tend to have a very good level of intelligence which they collect through
local contacts and this will add to that."

Bath MP Don Foster, who regularly receives letters from residents about
anti-social behaviour caused by drug dealing, says anything that can help
police is to be welcomed.

He said: "There is no doubt whatsoever that we have a serious drugs problem
in many of our towns and cities across the country and Bath is no different.

"I have had far too many cases of constituents concerned about the
anti-social behaviour of next door neighbours caused as a result of
trafficking in drugs.

"We know a large proportion of crime committed in Bath is drugs-related, so
it's important that we do everything we can to help police in tackling this
problem. The key thing we need to do is go for the drug dealers and the
pushers.

"Clearly the police cannot act without detailed intelligence and the more
the members of public in Bath are able to provide the better. All of these
things I think are absolutely great. But the public should not feel
frustrated if they do not see immediate reaction."

Anyone who has information about dealing in the area can call 842404 to
speak to an officer or leave a message.

Calls will be dealt with in the strictest confidence - you do not have to
leave your name or contact details, although it may help police if they can
get back to you.