A councillor has called on the council to take greater action to address drug dealing in her ward and across the city.

Councillor Dawn Barnett, who represents Hangleton and Knoll on Brighton and Hove City Council, said that “blatant” drug dealing takes place in twittens and in social housing in the area, with residents afraid to report such behaviour to police.

She said: “Residents are frightened to report it to police, but it’s only when people report these people that we have more chance of stopping them.

“It’s such a shame because we have some really nice families living in Hangleton and across the city in social housing, bringing their children up to be respectful and polite, and this spoils it because teenagers are very vulnerable.

“It’s not fair as parents are trying their hardest to make a good life for their children - we’ve really got to stop these drug dealers.”

Cllr Barnett claimed that the only way to stop it is to evict drug dealers from social housing.

However, she claimed that the council “always have an excuse” not to do so.

She said: “Private landlords wouldn’t put up with it - they should be made to leave their property. They should not be allowed to keep their tenancy and be made to leave to let decent people have a life.

“These drug dealers are ruining the next generation.”

A police spokesman confirmed that officers are aware of drug dealing centred around an area in north Hangleton.

He said: “Officers are engaging with residents, the wider community and partner agencies to identify any perpetrators and put measures in place to address the issue.

“Our neighbourhood policing team will continue to maintain a visible presence in the area as both a deterrent and a clear point of contact for local residents.

“Members of the public should report any crimes or concerns via the Sussex Police website, or by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“People can also discuss any concerns with PCSOs or officers. While official crime reports cannot be taken in this way, it helps to build up a picture of issues facing a community so that appropriate measures can be put in place.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said they take allegations of drug dealing by council tenants “very seriously” and urged anyone with evidence of such behaviour to report it to police.

He said: “We do not hesitate to take action in instances where drug dealing is occurring in council properties. This can include property closure orders and eviction.

“However, we cannot simply evict people without having the evidence to do so. We have to work closely with the police to gather such evidence.

“Any concerns about drug dealing in specific council properties can also be reported to our housing customer service team by emailing housing.customerservices@brighton-hove.gov.uk or telephoning 01273 293030.

“We will always investigate any such concerns and we will not share any such information we receive with any alleged drug dealers, but we do have a duty to share it with the police as drug dealing is a criminal offcence.”