POLICE chiefs have been quizzed about young people dealing drugs in Bracknell last night.

Councillors were discussing youth crime on Wednesday (September 25), but Labour member Mary Temperton, who represents Great Hollands North, questioned how Thames Valley Police (TVP) is tackling the ‘big issue’ of drug-running after she told safety bosses about what she had seen taking place.

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She said: “Lots of us would think drug-running is a big issue because we see it so openly.

“Two bikes come up, one passes over the white packet and then they go away.

“It’s not just on my estate - I’m constantly getting reports from Wildridings and Birch Hill and Priestwood.

“As a local community councillor, the issues and concerns are certainly to do with young people dealing with drugs.”

According to Alison O’Meara, head of community safety at Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) and Andrew Cranidge, deputy commander for Bracknell and Wokingham, youth crime rates were lower than other crime rates.

They claimed there had been little change in the rate over the last three years and it was most commonly the case that parents reported the crimes.

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Youth crime, which is mostly made up of violent crimes, occasional drug offences and sexual offences, peaked at 1 pm and 3 pm in Bracknell Forest.

Responding to Cllr Temperton, Mr Cranidge said the force was “alive” to the issue and that officers and operations were in place to deal with county lines, and work was underway to support vulnerable people “exploited” through this issue.

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard, BFC’s boss for children, young people and learning issues, said drug-dealing among young people was “absolutely not” a problem exclusive to Bracknell Forest.

He added: “We’re talking about drug incidents that involve young people but let’s be clear, there are adults that do this as well.

“If for no other reason a member of the public was listening to what was said they would think this was a problem for young people only in Bracknell Forest, it is absolutely not.

“This is a community issue. We just need to it that in context. We’re talking about a very, very small percentage of reported crime.

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“We’re dealing with a small number of young people for which there are a range of effective interventions.”