THE DISTRICT has an array of wonderful parks where people can relax and detach themselves from the daily grind of life.

Such facilities are valued by many as a peaceful green oasis within the urban environment of a metropolitan district.

So it’s a crying shame when a moronic minority spoil the enjoyment of parks through anti-social or criminal behaviour.

The concerns raised by a councillor in relation to Keighley’s Devonshire Park are worthy of further investigation.

If his suspicions about ‘drug activity’ in the park are accurate, then it’s vital that urgent action is taken to tackle the problem.

It’s appalling to think that right-minded visitors to the park are being put off by this type of behaviour.

Parks should be a haven for stressed-out workers, an escape for families with children who need to run off energy, or a safe spot for elderly residents to take a stroll.

We must not allow them to be taken over by an unsavoury element who want to misuse their often-isolated surroundings as a secluded place to peddle misery in the shape of drugs.

There’s no doubt that a lot of good work has been carried out in Keighley to tackle the scourge of drugs, notably the recent Operation Saucer Lake - an undercover police sting that took place in the town from May to September last year.

However, it seems that close attention now needs to be paid to Devonshire Park to ensure drug dealing in that area is tackled head-on.

The public, councillors and police all have an important part to play.