A COMMUNITY group which wants to provide a link between agencies battling against drugs has dedicated itself to ridding heroin from the streets of Calne.

Town councillors and local representatives from education, housing, business, the police and MP for Devizes Michael Ancram came together to state their commitment to fighting heroin, in the wake of the police's massive anti-drugs operation in Calne two weeks ago.

The group, which met in The Conservative Club, in Church Street, on Saturday, agreed if they wanted to get rid of heroin dealers they needed to eliminate demand.

It decided to target doorstep selling and education.

Inspector Ray Josey, based at Corsham Police Station, said heroin addicts often steal food and gifts from shops in Calne and knock on doors in residential areas to sell them for cash to feed their habit. The group believes if the public was made aware of this practice addicts' cash flow, which funds the dealers, could be reduced.

It wants to raise awareness of the risks of drug and alcohol abuse among children, in conjunction with local schools and education authorities. The group wants to ensure youngsters in Calne know there are organisations they can go to for support and advice as an alternative to their school and family, if they have problems.

Calne town councillor Margaret Russell, who chaired the meeting, said: "What came out of that meeting exceeded my expectations. I really felt something worthwhile happened on Saturday. We're not a group of people running around doing our separate thing. We want to come together to work for the people of Calne.

"We're not a particular agency, we aim to provide a link for organisations working in Calne. At the moment we're aiming to come down on doorstep selling and educating children to be aware. We want to communicate this not in an authoritarian way but by talking to them and raising their awareness."

The group also discussed the possibility of introducing town wardens, or badged constables, with powers to detain, to deter drug dealing on the streets at night.

Representatives from Deceuninck Ltd, Westlea Housing Association and John Bentley School were at the meeting. The group wants to broaden membership and wants drug rehabilitation agencies, including Reachout and Bath Area Drug Advisory Service, to attend the next meeting.