Responding to community concerns about drug dealing in Hastings local police have made two arrests.

Officers have targeted patrols in the Linton Gardens area of the town after receiving a number of reports of suspicious behaviour in the area.

…the community feels its concerns are being taken seriously.

Shortly after midday on Monday (June 22nd), plain-clothed officers were on duty in the area when they saw a man and a boy sitting in the park.

The officers watched the pair and saw a number of suspected drug deals take place. The 34-year-old man and 17-year-old boy were both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. A quantity of wraps containing Class A drugs were also seized.

Both the man and the boy were released on conditional bail until July 20th while enquiries continue.

Officers have since received two emails from members of the public thanking them for listening to residents and taking action.

One email from a woman who called police to report drug dealing in the area said the community feels as if its concerns are being taken seriously.

Linton Gardens has seen a huge rise in drug dealing and consumption.

A second email said: “Linton Gardens in Hastings has seen a huge rise recently in drug dealing and consumption. On Sunday, despite the park being full of families, children and neighbours, it escalated alarmingly.

“A large presence of police in Linton Gardens resulted in searches and arrests. We are grateful.”

Inspector Aidan Cornwall of the Hastings prevention team, said: “We take reports of drug dealing in Hastings very seriously, and we are committed to listening to residents’ concerns and acting on them.

“Our officers made Linton Gardens a priority area for their patrols after we received a number of reports of drug dealing taking place in the area. As a result, we were able to arrest two people and seize a quantity of dangerous drugs as well.

“We continue to urge people to get in touch with us if they think criminal activity is taking place in their community.”