CONCERN has been raised over 'drug use' in a park in Dalton after small plastic bags were spotted by residents which has fuelled the fire of what has been an 'ongoing issue' in the area.

A community group want to see more action on the issue before 'someone gets killed'.

Dave Taylor, of Dalton Community Action has said that this 'drug issue' has been something he has been trying to address for the last 15 months but claims the problem has gotten worse.

"Barrow Council are getting an agency together and organising meetings about the problems at the park. But the soft approach has not been working.

"The council needs to take action before it is too late.

"Too often action is only taken after a tragic incident.

"The longer this goes on the danger increases, and we do not want to get to the point where someone dies."

The DCA group have made appeals for the council to reconsider their refusal to install CCTV in the area but are yet to make a formal request following their request in January.

Councillor Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said: "We continue to work closely with our partners on the issue of antisocial behaviour in the borough.

"We received a previous request for permission to install domestic grade CCTV cameras at Dalton Leisure Centre car park but this was not in line with legal requirements of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice or GDPR and, therefore, we were not able to grant it.

"As we have stated before, the expert advice we have received was that working with partners in the area - including Cumbria Police - is a more effective way forward to address the concerns of residents and the needs of young people in our area.

"With this in mind, we will be organising a multi-agency Streetsafe operation in the area in the coming weeks and will continue to be involved in the partnership work as it moves to find the best and most effective solutions to any issues experienced."

A Cumbria Constabulary spokeswoman said: "Police can confirm they have received reports in recent months regarding young people suspected of committing drug related offences, in the play area of Dalton Leisure Centre.

"The police encourage reports from anyone who may have concerns about criminality within their neighbourhood.

"Officers have thoroughly investigated each report, following multiple lines of enquiry, to build intelligence and understand the situation.

"The investigations into these reports include: officers attending the scene for each report and carrying out enquiries, officers speaking to the young people playing in the park area, officers carrying out an extensive survey called Street Safe, canvassing the houses in the area and wider to understand any issues within the community or concerns around criminality.

"From the complaints over a roughly three-month period, drugs to the quantity of personal use, were located on an individual on one occasion. This was dealt with via a caution and the individual being given advice and information on the dangers of drug use.

"The investigations, intelligence gathered and the Street Safe survey, identified no wider concerns from residents regarding drug relating crime being committed by young people (at the times of the reports) using the play area.

"The police have positively noted that, during each investigation the young people using the designated play area, have engaged positively and respectfully with officers, fully cooperating with them and their enquiries.

"Officers have also carried out extensive partnership working with local authorities and third sector parties to ensure that a compressive understanding of the area was established. No issues pertaining to drug use in the Dalton Park area were identified.

"Anyone with concerns is asked to report them to police on 101.

"Additionally, the public can contact Victim Support, independently, on 0300 303 0157. Victim Support can confidentially discuss additional support needs with individuals and discuss the support services available."