Drug users 'breaking into Brighton children's centre'

That is according Labour Queen's Park councillor Nick Childs, who is calling for action on the “damage and misery” being caused by drugs within his community.

He says Kingswood and Milner Estate’s communal bins are being used for injecting heroin, drugs are sold openly from tents in Valley Gardens and residents are being hounded and abused on St James's Street.

He also says users are breaking in to the Tarner Children's Centre to inject at night and heroin is being cooked on gas stoves “in broad daylight” whilst children play in the Tarner Project and playground.

Tarner Children's centre Copyright Paul Gillett

Speaking to other councillors in a plea for action, Cllr Childs said: “There is a tendency in our city to normalise these behaviours, but Labour will not look on whilst ‘damage and misery’ is normalised. Our residents want action and we are listening to them.

“There is a tendency in our city to normalise these behaviours, but Labour will not look on whilst ‘damage and misery’ is normalised. Our residents want action and we are listening to them.”

A proposal to fund a city-wide drug summit to tackle drug dealing, drug abuse and cuckooing was agreed at a Brighton and Hove City Council meeting last week.

The plan would see police, residents and city leaders come together to tackle the “deep-rooted” drug trade which is bringing death and devastation to Brighton and Hove.

Residents would be given advice on how to gather usable evidence against their drug-dealing neighbours in a bid to banish them from their neighbourhoods.

READ MORE: Fighting back against the drug gangs in Brighton and Hove

Sussex Police Chief Inspector Nick Dias said reports from the community are vital in helping police tackle the issues.

He said: “Our Neighbourhood Policing Team work closely with the public and partners to respond to reports of drugs and anti-social behaviour.

“We have identified police community support officers for each ward to engage with the community and identify when and where the problems that most affect them are taking place.

“It is our daily business to disrupt criminal activity such as drug dealing through operations and tactics including targeted days of action, warrants, plain clothes and uniformed patrols, and intelligence led arrests. Our Tactical Enforcement Teams and Specialist Enforcement Unit provide a dedicated response to disrupting any kind of serious criminal activity.

“We are making significant progress in addressing drugs and anti-social behaviour in Brighton and Hove by working closely with partners in the local authority, health and other community groups to tackle these complex issues.

“It is essential people report concerns to us so we can build a picture of what’s going on in the area and take appropriate action.

“Local officers complete high visibility patrols, targeted operations and multi-agency interventions in response to reports of individuals causing harm in our community

“Our priority is keeping the people of Brighton and Hove safe and feeling safe. If you have any information or concerns please report it to us online or by calling 101.”