THE mayor of Malvern has welcomed 'zero tolerance' police action to target drug dealing in the town as one pensioner revealed she feels safer after officers made arrests.

Police patrols have targeted suspected drug dealing behind the Pickersleigh Road shops in Malvern, actions welcomed by the Mayor of Malvern, Marilyn Birks, who has spoken of how the sale of drugs 'ruins lives'.

PCSO Kev Tudge said the Pickersleigh and Chase Safer Police Team, part of West Mercia Police, had been responding to concerns raised in the community.

ACTION: Mayor of Malvern, Marilyn Birks, has praised police for their actions to tackle drug dealing in the town including near the Pickersleigh Road shopsACTION: Mayor of Malvern, Marilyn Birks, has praised police for their actions to tackle drug dealing in the town including near the Pickersleigh Road shops (Image: Supplied) He added: "We are aware of issues linked to drugs supply at the rear of the shops and are also targeting the alleyway at the rear of the shops that leads onto Clare Road and Reed Close.

"Yesterday (November 29) while targeting the area PC Olczak from the team stopped searched two males following information received that they were involved in drugs supply.

"The Pickersleigh and Chase Team cover the Barnards Green side of Malvern which includes this area along with the Pound Bank, Poolbrook and Elgar Avenue estates.

"The team continue to work hard to deal with issues such as this and have carried our several positive drug warrants on properties in the last few months.

We will deal robustly with anyone found to be involved in the supply of illegal drugs. We want to reassure you that any information provided will be treated confidentially.

"We understand that it is only by working together with the Community that we can help keep Malvern a safe place to live."

Malvern's Mayor, Marilyn Birks, said she had spoken with two of the local PCSOs (one of them being Kevin Tudge) about drugs being dealt in the area last Thursday.

She said: "I'm totally supportive of this police statement and of the initiative to crack down on drug dealing in our locality. Zero tolerance is to be much welcomed.

"The other day a 70-year-old woman in Pickersleigh told me of police visiting a house two doors down, in what she thought was a police 'raid' and saw two men being taken away by the police.  

"She was matter of fact about it all - as she told me she feels if the police are there, following leads and acting on them, then she is safe.  

"Not everyone feels like this though, and it can be scary for people living in the area, or walking to and from the shops.  The sale of illegal drugs ruins people's lives in so many ways.

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"Friends and family suffer too, I have a close friend whose son stole from her regularly to pay for his drugs. A sense of fear can be generated by knowing drugs are being handled in the area - as this brings criminal behaviour into the neighbourhood and in worst cases, violence.

"People, young and old, should be able to be at peace in their neighbourhood and community. To go out to shops and not feel intimidated or frightened by knowing drug supply lines are in the vicinity. Police vigilance and the willingness to act quickly will give local people re-assurance they are being protected."

If you have any information that you would like to share with the team you can email us via: pickersleighandchase.snt@westmercia.police.uk or call crime stoppers on: 0800 555 111.

PC Dave Olczak, of the safer neighbourhood team covering Pickersleigh, said: “We’re aware of ongoing concerns around drug dealing and use in the areas at the back of the shops on Pickersleigh Road, and are working hard to prevent and tackle the problem.

“We’re carrying out extra high-visibility patrols in the area and also have carried out a number of stop searches in the area in recent weeks.  We’re already seeing a positive impact from this action and I’m confident this will continue. 

“We’ve also carried out a number of successful drugs warrants in Malvern recently, which are critical in disrupting the supply of drugs into the town and tackling the issue at its source.  

“As always, I’d encourage anyone with information or concerns about drugs or crime in their local area to get in touch.  You can find the contact details for your local policing team on neighbourhoodmatters.co.uk”.