ON MAY 5 we’ll have the opportunity to vote for the next police and crime commissioner.

It’s five years since the first was elected to hold our chief constable to account.

We were promised that the concerns of local residents would be listened to and acted upon.

So what difference have we noticed in Leftwich?

Well the daily drug deals that take place in public view within a few hundred metres of the two schools have become a daily occurrence and in spite of calls to the police they occur with impunity.

Individuals and groups of hooded mountain bikers with mobile phones meet, deposit packages within hedgerows and then continue from Leftwich to patrol along London Road and the A556.

Streetscene and litter picking volunteers have removed and disposed of drug related paraphernalia from the footpath from Old Hall Road that leads to the bypass that is used by local school children.

So as a resident what can I do?

When I can, and taking care to avoid personal harm, I’m now photographing those individuals I believe to be involved in dealing drugs.

The last individual when challenged immediately after a call to the police on April 22 didn’t deny it – indeed seemed to be ambivalent to the situation and posed for his photograph before heading off after his fellow conspirators.

From telephone records the police know who to contact if they want further evidence.

Name and address supplied