A public survey has given the thumbs-up to a police drugs-busting blitz.

Most people questioned in Keighley and Bradford believed the Crack Down initiative had helped decrease drugs activity in the district.

Residents in nine areas were asked their opinions on the campaign, which was launched in July 2002 with the setting up of a dedicated team to target those dealing in hard drugs on the streets.

Also, a district co-ordinator was appointed to work with other agencies to increase the number of users accessing treatment and educate people about the threat of drugs.

As a result of the campaign, more than 700 people have been arrested for drug-related offences, including 393 on suspicion of dealing in Class A drugs.

And more than 190 offenders entered into treatment programmes through Crack Down before the Criminal Justice Intervention Programme took over at the end of last year.

A total of 5,000 survey forms were sent out asking people if they were aware of the initiative and if they had noticed increased police activity in their area since it began.

Almost two thirds of respondents said they were aware of the campaign, having seen reports in the media or posters.

Sixty-nine per cent felt that the police operation had made the Bradford and Keighley district a more drug-free area and 63 per cent believed people were less afraid of crime as a result of the initiative.

Most people also believed that treatment might help offenders overcome their addiction and break the cycle of drug abuse.

Bradford area drugs co-ordinator Det Sgt Colin Stansbie said that all partners in the initiative were delighted with the feedback, but were aware there was still room for improvement.

He said: "When we launched Crack Down we were determined to disrupt local drug markets and protect communities from the threat of drugs.

"It's very encouraging that people are recognising that the police and other agencies have been working hard to rid the district of drugs.

"People clearly recognise that drugs are a major problem and one that the police cannot tackle alone."

He added: "We are working very hard with our partners to tackle the evil of drug abuse across the whole spectrum, from prevention to education, enforcement and treatment.

"The police will persistently target those who continue to cause misery in our communities.

"In the survey results, we found a stark warning for drug dealers. Nearly 90 per cent of people will inform either the police or Crimestoppers if they have information on you, so it's only a matter of time before we are knocking down your door."

Crimestoppers regional co-ordinator Det Sgt Ian Froggett said the public was continuing to support Dob in a Dealer by calling the Crimestoppers anonymous hotline.

He added: "We have had more than 2,000 calls to Dob in a Dealer.

"Sometimes these snippets of information have been the final piece of the jigsaw, which has enabled us to obtain a search warrant and make an arrest, or the first piece which draws someone to our attention that has previously gone unnoticed.

"We hope people will keep on calling with information about car registration numbers, names of people involved in drugs, or addresses where drug dealing might be taking place."

Anyone with information about suspected drug dealing activity in their area can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. The call is free from a landline, will not show up on an itemised bill and cannot be traced.