RESIDENTS raised concerns at neighbourhood drug dealing in a meeting with police and councillors.

Members of Barrow’s Hindpool community gathered to flag up instances of drug dealing on roads where they live

Meeting at the British Legion in Holker Street, they celebrated the togetherness of the community - but said they had seen dealers operating in plain sight on their streets.

Community police officers were on hand to listen to the concerns.

They said foot patrols in Hindpool had been stepped up following reports from residents of street drug dealing.

Police sergeant Andy Travis said: “It was good to meet residents and be made aware of their concerns.

“Some residents raised concerns about drug dealing in the area and we’ve taken that on board.

“It’s good to work with other partners.

“If there any more residents who would like to report crime to us I would urge them to call police on 101.”

Present at the meeting were Hindpool councillors Dave Pidduck and Anne Burns as well as representatives from Cumbria County Council and The Well, a drug rehabilitation group.

Among the points of discussion was a community hub for Hindpool similar to the ones at Egerton Court and a planned centre at Ormsgill.

They also suggested switching off public phone boxes to deter dealers and transform them into information hubs or libraries.

Hindpool councillor Anne Burns, who chaired the meeting, said: “We know drug dealing is going on in Hindpool and we want to try and get rid of drugs off our streets.

"We just want to support the community and the police.

“It’s good to hear about problems and concerns raised by residents and try to work through them.

“We hope to have more concrete discussions about things people raised.”

More meetings are planned for Hindpool residents in the future, with the next planned for two months’ time.