RESIDENTS yesterday praised police action over drugs problems at a popular park but said more still needed to be done.

Officers made 11 arrests in three days in a bid to tackle drug possession and dealing at The Level in Brighton.

Freya Powell, 34, who regularly uses the park, said: “It’s really good that they’re making arrests.

“But I think the dealers here are a little bit comfortable and there have been times I’ve thought about having to call the police.

“I don’t think the police should be happy making arrests for possession, it should be for supply, it’s so blatant.”

The mother of two added: “Over the winter it’s fundamentally changed and got worse. Near the soft play area you can almost stand and watch them.”

Leila Grayling, 35, takes her two children to the park regularly and was pleased to hear arrests were being made.

She said: “It’s awful here. I saw them dealing and drinking and smoking at 11am last Thursday, it was so blatant.

“I think there should be more of a presence. It’s going on all the time.

“If there was more of a presence, it’s so in your face they’d see what was happening.”

The three-day operation, conducted last month by both plain clothes and uniformed officers, led to the arrests of four men aged between 18 and 20 and one 45-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply either cocaine or cannabis. They have been released on bail until later this month.

Jason Tilley, 25, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty on January 27 to possession of cannabis.

Wisdon Dube, 18, of Ghyllside, Brighton, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cannabis on January 16 and was given a community order and electronically tagged.

Jordon Blythe, 25, of Tavistock Close, Hackney, was arrested and charged with possession of a class A drug, ecstasy. A 27-year-old Brighton man was given a £90 fine for possession of cannabis

A 53-year-old Henfield man who was arrested in possession of cannabis was given a warning.

Additionally, two boys, aged 17 and 15, were caught smoking cannabis and had their details taken. They will be visited at their homes by officers who will speak to them with their parents.

A 20-year-old Brighton woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of ecstasy but later released without charge.