POLICE are stepping up patrols in a Bradford suburb after residents complained of having to see open drug-dealing and drug-taking from their homes.

One resident said he had to close his windows to keep out the smell of cannabis as it was smoked by a group of young people.

Householders in Ashbourne Gardens, Bolton, say the problem, in garages and snickets nearby, has been ongoing for three years.

Councillor Michael Stelling (Bolton and Undercliffe, Lib Dem) has taken up their concerns with senior police. He said: “The police say they have got it under control, but when residents look out of their windows and see this happening, it is not reassuring. Something needs to be done to tackle it. It used to be cloak and dagger, now it’s out in the open.”

He said more PCSOs had been recruited but they did not have the same stop-and-search powers as regular officers.

“I know these are hard times in relation to budgets, but it’s no reason to let the public suffer. It’s not effective policing.”

He has been invited to go out with police to see how they deal with the problem and has been told there will be an increase in patrols.

Acting Inspector Dave Collyer, of Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Officers have been speaking to residents about these issues and are working with partners on crime prevention measures.

“A police-led operation was conducted in the area last summer following several reports of anti-social behaviour and drug use. The operation was closed after police received no further reports. We will continue to pay regular attention to the area and will take positive action against anyone found to be engaged in either activity.”

Police said they had received information that pupils from Hanson School had been loitering and behaving in an anti-social way in the area – though there was no suggestion they were involved in drugs.

A school spokesman said: “There has been a small minority of students from this and another local school involved in anti-social behaviour out of school hours. The school has acted swiftly, working with the local community and police to ensure that appropriate sanctions have been put in place.”