REPORT it – that's the message to Weymouth residents following a meeting called amid concerns on drug dealing and its effect on the community.

People have been urged to stand up for their community and help authorities.

To support the effort, Westham Community Group is to produce leaflets and posters with contact numbers to encourage more drug dealing reports.

Police have stressed that in their battle to target drug networks they rely on intelligence from the community, and incidents can be reported in several ways in confidence.

In some circumstances, officers will be assigned to people making reports.

A meeting was called by Westham Community Group following concerns about open drug dealing and following the discovery of hundreds of needles on the Rodwell Trail.

It was attended by residents and police officers as well as representatives from housing group Aster, local councils and drug support organisation EDP.

Although it was called following issues in Westham, the discussion turned into Weymouth-wide problems and what the police and authorities were doing.

Inspector Darren Stanton and Sergeant Andy Jenkins explained about Operation Champion to target drug dealing, and that many arrests had already taken place.

Sgt Jenkins explained about 'cuckooing' – dealers out of the area targeting vulnerable people, coercing and bullying them in order to move into their properties.

Aster workers said it takes reports of tenants using drugs and causing trouble seriously which can lead to eviction.

EDP is working with drug users who genuinely need support. Resources are available for users and people who have concerns.

Resident Andreas Scheffler, who chaired the meeting, said: "People have concerns and the meeting was a way to say, let's work out a way how we can deal with it.

"The meeting was well attended and informative, and it was clear the community wants to work together to tackle this.

"We'll have another meeting in October to update people on progress."

Meanwhile, a question and answer session with police revealed:

  • Police are targeting dealers operating at The Marsh and other locations. St Edmund Street toilets and disabled toilets on seafront also known spots for drug use/dealing. If you see it – report it
  • Some dealers travel from cities and set up locally. While PCSOs conduct patrols, officers are working to establish where dealers are based
  • Operation Onward deals with street drinking, rough sleeping and begging. Regular patrols are carried out and individuals targeted with orders
  • Drug dealers use different methods to bring drugs in. Police intercept people utilising the railways but vehicles more current method for bringing in large quantities
  • Crack cocaine and heroin are main drugs being dealt locally
  • Needles are public health issue and sharps boxes can be supplied from doctor surgeries and chemists.There are six local chemists doing a needle exchange
  • Report discarded needles to DWP on 01305 221040 or if outside of working hours to the borough council on 01305 838000.
  • Rodwell Trail has been cut back and cleared
  • Online reporting is the most effective way to report a non-urgent matter. If someone is continually seeing the same issue in their community, keep reporting it. Dorset Police website dorset.police.uk/Do-it-online Email: 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or telephone 101.