POLICE joined community organisers and parish councillors to clean up drug paraphernalia in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in North Swindon.

Reports of large groups of youths causing distress and alarm to residents got members of the Blunsdon St Andrews Parish council to join forces with local community police.

Swindon North Community Coordinator Tom Fryszka said: "Local residents and members of public, including dog walkers have found discarded clear plastic sealable bags, grinders and other drug paraphernalia.

"A trend has evolved whereby youths are utilising this location to socialise and their reported anti-social behaviour is causing harassment, alarm and distress to some residents.

"Having a police presence allowed us to provide a visual presence, demonstrating partnership working and focus on community issues."

The patrol found a number of items of drug paraphernalia and clear plastic bags often used by dealers to weigh up amounts of drugs.