A PARK where up to five drug gangs were thought to be operating has been cleaned up, forcing dealers out of the area.

In a three month blitz, Oxford's drugs taskforce tackled the problems in South Park which have dogged residents for years.

Oxford Mail:

Open drug dealing and using was a regular sight in the park and surrounding streets, particularly near the Morrell Avenue entrance.

READ ALSO: 100 arrested and £130,000 seized in drug dealing crackdown

It was chosen as one of the first 'hot spots' by the taskforce - which includes police and both councils - in August due to the number of calls from members of the public, NHS data and police intelligence.

Police Sergeant Guy Elkins said: “At one time we had five county drug lines working out of here.

Oxford Mail:

"The risks to this area were significant because of that, which is one of the reasons why we took it on.

"This, combined with the raw needle finds, and the fact that weapons have been found in the bushes were all taken into account.

“We come down, look at the area, find out what makes it appealing to dealers or users and work out what we can do to stop it happening."

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Actions taken in South Park have seen covert and high-visibility patrols - including by the force's mounted and dog sections - the clearing of foliage, improving sightlines and moving benches.

Mr Elkins said: “There was a bench within the bushes so they couldn’t be seen from the road but could see anyone who was approaching them.

"It was quite simple to move that so it becomes less appealing to use that location for drugs.

“Likewise, the area along the park fence was all bracken, allowing people to hide in the park and feel secure to use and discard needles.

"It's about disrupting the activity and designing it out of the area."

Oxford Mail:

Following the success in South Park, the taskforce moved on to target the nearby St Clements Car Park between December 2018 and February 2019.

Students living in IQ Alice House, above the car park, had reported seeing open drug use,

Here patrols were stepped up, seating was removed and known users were referred to the drug recovery service Turning Point.

Tom Hayes, Oxford City Council's board member for crime, said the taskforce's next priority was working with local groups to ensure improvements made are maintained, once attention moves to other parts of the city.

He said one of the most important things people can do is use the spaces because the busier they are, the less drug dealers are likely to want to use it.

Sarah Lane, Friends of South Park committee member, said she had noticed less groups hanging around the area at the bottom of the park and that she feels it is now safer for her and her children.