DOZENS of people attended the official launch of the Clean Up Our Town anti-drug dealing campaign in Keighley this weekend.

Extra seating was laid on in Central Hall, Alice Street, to accommodate all the members of the public, councillors, council officers and community representatives who attended on Saturday.

The campaign, focusing on Keighley Central Ward, is designed to stir up a strong community backlash against drug dealing, to ensure the town becomes as inhospitable as possible for the criminals responsible.

Addressing the gathering at the start of the launch, Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: "I've lived here since I was four or five and there's always been drugs but I've never seen such prolific use and overt selling of drugs as I have in recent years.

"People have said they are ringing up the police and not getting a response and a lot of people have lost confidence.

"But now people say they want to stand up and challenge this behaviour, which I think is really powerful and positive.

"I know the police have been doing some really good work and we've seen some of that come to fruition over the last week.

"I'm confident the police know what is required but they also need your help to pursue these individuals. They can't do it alone.

"I happen to be a Conservative MP but this is not about party politics, this is about getting the entire community to respond whatever its politics might be."

He urged those present who have specific intelligence about drug dealing to supply the details at the end of the meeting, explaining that these will be passed onto the police and treated in strict confidence.

Keighley police inspector Khalid Khan said he hoped to see substantial sentences issued against the people charged in the most recent police anti-drugs operation in the town.

He stressed this operation, which has so far seen 13 men charged with drug dealing offences, is still ongoing.

"This would not have been possible without your support and the information you've given us," he told the meeting.

"Members of the public often complain that they report these problems to police but don't see any action.

"Investigating drug crimes is complex. We have to collate the information we receive, develop intelligence, go to the courts for warrants then set up operations, as we've done on this latest occasion.

"We are listening to people and we are taking action. But this starts at home with parents' responsibility for their children.

"If your child comes home with an expensive phone, lots of money in his pockets and he's driving an expensive car what is your responsibility as their parent?"

The meeting was also addressed by Keighley town mayor Councillor Shabir Ahmed and Crimestoppers regional manager Gemma Wilson.

Clean Up Our Town is being backed by Crimestoppers, drug and alcohol dependency agency Project 6, Bradford Council's Keighley Area Co-ordinator's office, local schools and the Keighley Bus Company.

It is being funded with an initial grant of £3,000 from Bradford District Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership.