Drug dealers targeting youths in a North Yorkshire village are at the centre of a police operation already showing results.

Pushers selling heroin, along with other drugs in Skelton, are facing increased policing after residents expressed fears that their village had developed a serious problem. In only two months since the start of the crackdown, a man from the Brecksfields estate has been convicted of supplying heroin, while another man was arrested in Clifton allegedly in possession of £3,000 worth of drugs. He is accused of supplying in Skelton.

Another five people, three of them from Skelton, were bailed after being arrested at the Fairfield Manor lay-by and allegedly found to be carrying drugs.

Acting Inspector Tim Madgwick of North Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware that there is a problem in the village and, as a result, we have committed considerable resources to detecting offenders, particularly those supplying class A drugs." He said the increased effort was made following a meeting with village residents last year.

He said: "We had a very positive meeting and we noted that the main concerns of the residents were youth disorder and drugs.

"In respect of the latter we are vigorously enforcing the drugs legislation in the area."

The increased pressure in the war against drugs was revealed by police after Andy Garbutt, Labour's contender for Rawcliffe and Skelton ward in the City of York Council elections in May, said a serious drug problem was a major concern to residents.

Mr Garbutt said: "Drugs are apparently being sold freely in the middle of the estate close to the convenience store where the youths tend to congregate.

"At night a car has been seen to pull up where the youths are and money exchanged for small packets."

He urged City of York Council to set up activities such as a youth club to take young people off the streets, a suggestion backed by Liberal Democrat election candidate Irene Waudby.

She said: "There are young people wandering about in Skelton and that is worrying residents, which is totally understandable, and I would urge the council to set up more leisure services to take them off the street and provide them with activities."

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