A SPA mother has expressed serious concerns about the town's continuing drug problems after moving to the area only a few months ago.

The homeowner moved on to the Westlands estate just before Christmas and said she was shocked by the presence of both drug dealers and drug users near to her home and Westlands First School.

The concerned parent, who did not want to be named, said: "Having moved to Droitwich just before Christmas from Bromsgrove I thought we had moved away from all the bad drug dealers and users but I was so wrong from what I have seen just the last few weeks."

A member of the Westlands Forum said such concerns were rife in the area and that the problem was regularlydiscussed at group meetings.

Westlands Forum secretary Sue Power said: "This issue comes up frequently and we talk to the police about the problem. I would encourage other residents to attend the forum meetings because they can talk to others with similar problems and with the police. She is certainly not alone with her views."

Residents also cannot understand why people are being allowed to stand in and around the precinct area getting drunk and taking drugs without the police moving them on.

The Spa mum said: "I take my daughter too and from school and nearly everyday me and my daughter and all the other parents see three or four drug users hanging around by the shops drinking in an alcohol-free zone and doing whatever else they do to get into the state they are in."

She said that other parents have told her that there have been many reports to the police in the past but nothing has been done.

"There have been a number of incidents to do with drug needles on the estate. What has to happen before something is done about them? I and other parents don't want our children to have to see this," she added.

Inspector Steve Brooker said: "We do deal rigorously with incidences of anti-social behaviour. On the question of drug problems in the area, following information gathered by police we recently arrested four individuals - who are now awaiting trial - and also recovered substantial amounts of class A and class C drugs, disrupting the supply network."

The next meeting of the Westlands Forum will take place at the Westlands Community Hall at 4.30pm on Monday.

By Christopher Flavell