Residents tackling drug dealers

The group say police have failed to deal with their local problems

A group of about 50 men have begun patrolling their local streets in a bid to fight prostitution and drug dealing.

The men, who are from the Westwood and Coldhurst areas of Oldham, Greater Manchester, said police had failed to deal with their local problems.

They patrol streets, move kerb crawlers along, give prostitutes advice and call on suspected drug dealers.

Alan Humphries, Neighbourhood Inspector for West Oldham, said he did not approve of the patrols.

He said he had concerns about the residents' safety.

He said: "Certainly the kind of activity that I was told about before was something that I approved of, that is the community getting out there and helping people to know what the contact numbers are to report information to the police so that we can act on it and take positive action.

We will not tolerate them killing our innocent brothers and sisters Nanu Miah

"But challenging people on their doorsteps is not acceptable, and is not something that Greater Manchester Police approves of."

The group is led by Nanu Miah, who said the men wanted to clean up the streets for their children.

"I just wish the police did more. Drug dealers are still operating in this area," he said.

"In order to have the streets clean for our kids, then we as parents need to do something about it.

"It is doing a lot of good I think.

"We go on every street, every main road and every corner, looking out for dealers and prostitutes.

"There is no violence, but we will explain to them that we will not tolerate them killing our innocent brothers and sisters.

"We are determined to keep this going."