Drug dealing hotspots could be amongst several crime concerns identified in a new policing initiative.

This comes after ward councillors all across the borough were asked to identify their top three priorities where tackling crime is concerned to help shape police responses.

Cllr Paul Heslop, who represents Kearsley, says he has already identified speeding, theft and off road biking, but now feels that areas notorious for drug dealing should also be brought to attention.

He said: “We’re constantly getting it and we’re reporting it to the police, I’ve had two emails just this week about drug dealing.”

The Bolton News: Concerns have been raised about drug crimeConcerns have been raised about drug crime (Image: PA)

Cllr Heslop says he believes drug activity has been concentrated around certain streets in his area, including Jackson Street, the back of Parkview on Bolton Road, at areas around High Stile Street and around Garden Street.

There have also been concerns raised with Cllr Heslop and his colleagues about drugs being sold on parts of Mather Street.

Cllr Heslop said: “Someone’s suggesting it’s a local person who’s doing it.

“Someone brings it in and then the drugs are being dropped off and then they are literally descending within seconds.”

The move to identify concerns comes after Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council cabinet members for stronger communities, asked all of the borough’s 60 councillors to contact her with their top three concerns about crime affecting their communities.

This is aimed at allowed representatives from all across the borough, including various communities around Bolton itself and the outlying towns and districts like Kearsley and Farnworth to outline what their concerns may be.

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Once these are collected Cllr Jiva, who’s cabinet role includes policing and public safety, then hopes to use the responses to shape police policies all over Bolton.

Cllr Heslop says that as well as tackling the issues he raised with regard to speeding and theft this will also prompt a more proactive response to drug crime.

He said: “We’ve got a new police sergeant and I’m going to raise it with him personally and I’m also going to be raising it with the council.”

Further details about crime concerns across Bolton are expected over the coming months.