So after taking the weekend to recover from the six month election campaign, I started my work as a Councillor for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor today by visiting Greensbridge Gardens to investigate reports of a problem with local drug dealers using the area to deal drugs.
Greensbridge Gardens isn’t the kind of place you would immediately associate with a drug problem – the place looks nice, rather than looking like it could be used as a set for a postapocalyptic film without much redressing. Still, that’s probably the reason it’s been targeted – there is less likelihood that police are actively watching nice neighbourhoods for signs of wrongdoing.
While I was there, I didn’t spot any sign of a problem but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one, of course. I have also contacted the local police community support officers to ask what action is being taken to tackle the problem. Drugs are not something that can be tolerated in any community and I would like to see this issue resolved as quickly as possible.
I will continue to monitor the situation and work with local police to make sure the problem is sorted out. When I know more, I will make sure residents in the area – and anyone who reads this blog – know more, too.