Drugs, and particularly Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, are a major problem in Bradford. They are at the root of much of the gang violence and the addiction which they bring with them is rightly blamed for a high proportion of burglaries, car crime and street crime.

On top of the distress drugs can cause to individuals, the growth of the trade is doing considerable damage to Bradford's reputation. In recent days two national newspapers have drawn their readers' attention to the city as one of the country's heroin hotspots. That is not an asset on the CV of a place which is bidding for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008.

However, there is no denying that Bradford does have a major and growing drugs problem. Every effort must be made to tackle it, for all our sakes.

The formation by the police of a new district-wide special anti-drugs squad drawn from all divisions is an encouraging development. Every possible resource available needs to be concentrated on the fight against the drugs dealers. Defeat them, stem the inroads they are making into society, and half the battle against many other types of crime will be won as well.

However, it is a fight which will be made all the easier for the police if they get the full co-operation of the law-abiding public. Drugs dealers are becoming increasingly flagrant in the way they ply their trade. It is important that those people who are aware of their activities and choose, for various reasons, to turn a blind eye to them take their information to the police instead.