PEOPLE living in a part of Burnley once blighted by crime say they feel safe again as police continue to clamp down on drug dealers in the area.

Chairman of Burnley Wood Action Group Brian Fenn said residents had begun to enjoy living in Burnley Wood after years of having their lives blighted by drug users and dealers.

And officers have pledged to continue their crackdown against drugs in the area following a series of high-profile raids in 2005.

Police carried out more raids on two houses in Branch Road on December 30 and arrested four people on suspicion of supplying class A and C drugs.

Two men, aged 19 and 25, and a girl, aged 17, have since been released on police bail pending forensic examination of property recovered during the warrant.

A 50-year-old man was released with no further action to be taken against him.

Mr Fenn said: "The police are carrying out the community's wishes. The community has become fed up with drug dealers in recent years.

"We decided the people ruining our lives needed to be controlled and we have been working with the police. Everybody in the area supports everything the police are doing.

"Crime has been reduced over the last couple of years by 50 per cent.

"People are enjoying living here again. They feel safer now walking down to the shops. Things are looking up for the new year."

Police are encouraging people to come forward with information about drug abuse.

Burnley Wood community beat manager PC John Fisher said: "The Burnley Wood area was targeted by Operation Nimrod last year with a good degree of success. We promised to follow up that operation with further drugs warrants and that is what we have been doing.

"The suspected use, abuse and supply of controlled drugs will not be tolerated in local communities. If you suspect someone is supplying drugs we want to know about it. You can speak to myself or police community support officer Bill Ogden whilst we're on the beat, or you can contact us on 01282 425001.

"Alternatively, if you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Give us a call and help us help you rid local communities of drug-related crime."