AUTHORITIES are trying to clear up drug dens in city estates this centre

Police in Newcastle are taking action in Byker following complaints made last summer about drug users dumping syringes and paraphernalia across the Byker wall.

Officers found that users had created dens in shrubbery where they would take the drugs - located just yards from children’s play areas.

It caused a large issue with anti-social behaviour but also with drug littering that put passing members of the public at risk.

Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and Public Health England all came together to clear up the area and safeguard the vulnerable people taking the drugs.

This year authorities are trying to get ahead of the game and have already carried out litter picks, meetings with the local community and multi-agency walkabouts.

Neighbourhood cops in the Byker ward have also been proactive in targeting known dealers in a bid to take the substances off the streets.

Neighbourhood Inspector Kirsty Smith said: "We know that drug use on the Byker Wall estate was a real problem last summer and so we have worked hard to get ahead of the problem.

"The council and the community trust have been very proactive in dismantling drug dens and removing any drug litter and paraphernalia.

"Our work has been more focused on enforcement and we have been actively pursuing drug dealers in and around the Byker ward."

In June, 55-year-old Paul Teeney, from jailed for 21 months after admitting charges of supplying Class A drugs after police found £8,000 worth of heroin and cocaine in a house in The Chevron.

Insp Smith added: "He was an individual we quickly identified as someone who was preying upon vulnerable drug users.

"We were able to act quickly on local intelligence and it is great to see that he is behind bars and, due to civil action, unable to move back into the area upon his release.

"There have been a number of additional warrants executed in the Byker and Walker area to target drug dealers and it is not something we will tolerate.

"Our priority is to make this area as safe a place to live as possible and we can do that by putting offenders in front of the court.

"To do that we need the help of the local community, so if you have any suspicions about someone you believe to be selling drugs then please let us know."

Cllr Nick Kemp, cabinet member for environment at Newcastle City Council, said: “We have worked closely with the police and Byker Community Trust to secure closure orders on a number of properties where there was criminal behaviour that was affecting the rest of the community.

“Families and people living on the Byker Wall Estate want to enjoy where they live – and they have every right to be able to do so.

“We will not tolerate anti-social and criminal behaviour from a minority of people who spoil the area for others and we will continue to take robust action against those responsible for it.”

Teeney admitted possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of cocaine before being sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on June 6.

Anyone who wants to report drug use in their local community can do so by calling 101 or online at www.northumbria.police.uk/contact.