CHESHIRE Police would like to respond to two letters, published in the World entitled 'Drugs dilemma' and 'Police should act'.

The police drugs team is gathering intelligence about drug dealers on a daily basis in all parts of the borough.

In order to build successful cases against offenders, it is essential we provide the courts with the strongest evidence.

Drugs officers conduct covert surveillance, often over a number of weeks, to gather evidence.

As a result dealers are being put in the Dock and are getting long prison sentences.

On April 16, 18-year-old Wayne Allan Lammond from Widnes got three-and-a-half years in prison for supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

Another 26-year-old man got five years when his case was heard in March.

The author of 'Police should act' is correct in their assumption that Cheshire Police is enforcing the parking restrictions along Kingsway.

Responding to pubic concern about the problems, our road policing unit has issued a number of fixed penalty tickets to motorists parked illegally.

However, the two police cars and camera van the author refers to was part of our automatic number plate recognition unit.

This targets travelling criminals, not speeding motorists.

The unit positioned on key arterial routes into the borough, regularly arrests criminals trying to transport drugs, those who are wanted on warrant and thieves who drive through Halton in stolen vehicles.

If you have a concern about drug dealing or any criminal activity in your area, come along to the nearest PAD Meeting and have your say.

All residents need to do is turn up at the venue nearest to where they live and join in the open forum.

PAD meetings will take place on Monday, May 17 at 7pm at Upton Community Centre, Farnworth CP School and Castlefields Pastoral Centre.

Meetings will also be held on Monday, May 24 at 7pm at Halton Stadium, Runcorn Town Hall and The Beechwood Community Centre.

Cheshire Police