POLICE in Halesowen have been stepping up patrols after concerns were raised about drug use.

Officers from the Halesowen North Team have been tackling concerns around anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in the area.

Members of the public raised concerns about potential drug use on Nimmings Road and the surrounding roads.

Working with partners, officers have been engaging with the community and increased patrols to address issues.

In the last few months, officers have conducted ANPR operations, supported clean-up operations of open spaces, conducted stop and searches and gathered intelligence.

Sarah Smyth, Neighbourhood Inspector for Dudley, said: “We understand how drugs can affect our communities. They ruin the lives of those who use them and the crime they commit to fund their drug use can blight communities.

“We will continue to address this as an ongoing operation for the team and I encourage anyone who sees anything in suspicious in your area to report it so we can respond.”