RESIDENTS of Preston estates, too scared to help police crack down on drug problems, could have 'professional witnesses' take their place in court.

Police are planning to hire the witnesses to take the pressure off locals unwilling to be seen as a 'grass'. These witnesses would be paid to spend the day taking notes, ready to give evidence.

The idea is the brainchild of the new Residents Against Drugs (RAD) group, led by Inspector Karen Simister of Preston police, and has been welcomed by a residents association.

Insp Simister, based at Fulwood police station, said: "If people aren't coming forward because of intimidation worries, it is a way we need to go."

Professional witnesses were used for the first time in the area about three years ago by Preston City Council on the notorious Callon estate.

Now RAD are considering bringing the witnesses in to encourage people to step forward with evidence against drug-related crimes.

The suggestion was put forward at RAD's first meeting, on the Brookfield estate last week.

Pam Cooper, chairman of Brookfield United, said: "It saves all that horrendousness of you having to go to court. You are no longer the victim."

Insp Simister said: "It's part of the Street Crime Initiative, but there was a piece missing. We have got Operation Nimrod for the drug dealers, Dovetail for the offenders. But there was something missing from the community.

"We would need to do a lot more research. If the witnesses are professional then there would be a fee. We need to look at where that would come from."

And Pam Cooper feels the scheme is the way forward.

She said: "The professional witnesses are something that Brookfield United have looked at in the past.

"It's the old story of nobody wanting to be a grass or leave themselves open to further attacks.

"My son was a witness against boys who had beaten him up when he was younger. That was a horrendous time. You can easily see why people are intimidated not to go to court."