DRUGS dealers have been driven out of Leigh Library which they used as a headquarters for their activities.

Following a joint campaign and the introduction of CCTV, police and library staff are confident they have cleaned-up the drugs problem and reduced anti-social behaviour on the square.

Turnpike manager Stephen Ruffley said the centre had become a haunt for some people outside of the mainstream of normal culture.

"Up to 25-30 habitual drinkers, drugs users and their dealers used to congregate in the square - and worse still their activities spilled over into the adjacent library foyer."

The public were being frightened away from the library and staff were nervous.

Wigan and Leigh Risk Management Team were called in and after 'applying commonsense to the situation' gained a level of success.

The telephone used by the drugs dealers was moved

Closed circuit TV provided pictrues fot eh foyer and ourtside area

A 'stop and search' operation uncoverd a suprisingly high level of elicit activities in the area.

Mr Ruffley added: "The problem was one of people's perceptions, as much as reality. There is still crime at the Turnpike, as there is everywhere. But at least we have got rid of the drugs problem and levels of anti-social behaviour are greatly reduced."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.