DRUG dealers have been trying to stop people reporting them to police by claiming they can eavesdrop on their phone calls.

Residents in Lancaster Drive, Hapton, have received anonymous leaflets warning them off calling police to alert them about criminal activity because the calls can be traced and listened to.

Police today confirmed they had been handed several of the leaflets and were taking action.

Officers and councillors have teamed up to reassure residents the claims are untrue.

The leaflets are believed to have come from a small group of drug dealers operating on the Stonewall Bottom estate in the hope that residents would not report them.

Hapton Community Beat Manager PC Derek Mitchell has now delivered his own flyers to the estate in a bid to allay fears.

He stressed it was impossible for a scanner to eavesdrop on a call from a landline and that special equipment is needed to scan calls from mobile phones.

He said: "Residents can continue to ring the police, safe in the knowledge that nobody else will listen in to their telephone call.

"Nobody should have any concerns about the confidentiality of their calls to us and the message remains the same: If you need help or have information that you want to get across to us, please ring."

PS Debbie Carter, of Padiham police station, said: "We have put out leaflets to reassure residents after several received anonymous leaflets warning them calls could be scanned."

Padiham and Hapton county councillor Marcus Johnstone said: "I am very concerned that people may be under the impression that criminals can listen in to their conversations with the police.

"The leaflets which have been distributed have given a very false impression and whoever is behind them is talking complete and utter nonsense.

"We think they may have come from drug dealers in the hope they won't be reported to the police."

Residents in Lancaster Drive reacted with shock at news of the leaflets.

Marie Du-Val, 42, said: "I had a leaflet from the police but not one of the anonymous ones.

"I may have thought twice about reporting something to the police if I thought I was being listened to, though."

Another lady, who asked not to be named, said: "I would have been scared if I had received one."

People concerned about drug dealers can call drugline on 0800 555 885 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, both in confidence.