POLICE are committed to tackling drug dealers in Lakes communities, police reassured parish councillors.

Coun Anne Parker told Lakes Parish Council she was aware there were "an awful lot of very serious drug dealers in the area".

Police constable Alan Clayton said: "I can tell you we are dealing with them.

"We are attempting to sort these people out."

He said two police officers concentrated their efforts solely on drugs offences last year.

This year he was focusing on drugs, while PC Allison Westmorland was targeting car crime, and another officer was concentrating on anti-social behaviour.

Comparing reported crime figures for July to December, seven drugs offences were reported in Ambleside in 1999, and 14 were reported in 2000.

The increase was due to a police drugs operation.

The number of thefts remained steady at 45, and burglaries dropped from 15 to 14.

Criminal damage fell from 22 to 16, and assaults fell from 11 to two.

All figures relate to reported crime during July to December, 1999 and 2000.

Coun Edna Garlick said she was concerned isolated rural cottages in Langdale and Troutbeck were targets for burglars.

Police agreed to provide crime figures for the Langdale valleys at a future parish council meeting.