COMMUNITIES in the region are being urged to help police put drug dealers behind bars.

Crimestoppers is urging residents to "rat on a rat"

and pass on information about drug-related crime.

Dave Hunter, Crimestoppers' regional manager, said: "The aim is to get people to call with information who would not normally ring the police.

"Callers can remain totally anonymous - in 20 years we have never breached anonymity - and they can even qualify for a cash reward.

"In 20 years, we have recovered £149m of drugs thanks to members of the public who took the time to make their communities safer."

The campaign coincides with National Tackling Drugs Week.

As part of the national initiative, police in the region have targeted suspected drug dealers and run awareness campaigns.

In North Yorkshire, the focus has been on strong "skunk" cannabis.

Chief Superintendent Steve Read said: "North Yorkshire Police truly appreciates the community assistance in providing information via Crimestoppers about illegal drugs activity and crime.

"We can then take decisive action to bring offenders to justice and make our communities safer for the law-abiding majority."

Events have also been held to educate people about the dangers of taking drugs and raise awareness about the services available to help them quit.

Anyone with information on drug crime is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111 or go to crime stoppers-uk.org