KEIGHLEY'S MP has praised everyone who united to support Keighley's Clean Up Our Town anti drug dealing campaign.

Speaking 100 days after the initiative was first launched, he said local people had responded extremely positively to his original appeals for the town to rally behind the offensive against the town's drugs blight.

The campaign, which has been concentrating on Keighley Central Ward, is also being backed by Crimestoppers, West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council and drug and alcohol dependency agency Project 6.

Mr Hopkins added: “Since the outset of my campaign back in January, there has been a real concerted drive by community groups and residents to tackle this serious issue.

“At the launch event itself in Central Hall, people rightly challenged me to explain how the campaign would manifest itself.

"I have always said this is about the community. We have a common purpose in dealing with illegal drugs on our streets and it is only by responding together as one that we will defeat this evil.

“Over the past few weeks, we have seen that coming together of purpose and some very impressive results.

"Leaflets have been distributed throughout Keighley Central, with excellent support from our schools, businesses and area wardens.

"We have seen community clean ups and displays at the library.

“The launch was not just about words but about delivering real action. From the outset, I was supported by residents, community groups, the police and politicians from all parties who all pledged to make a real difference.

"We have seen this commitment day in day out over the last couple of months. I must also pay special tribute to Keighley News editor Richard Parker and his team for their unswerving backing for the campaign.

"Without this, we would not have made anything like the progress we have seen.

“However, there is still a big job to do. I will be seeking further funding to sustain the campaign, and it is vital that residents continue to challenge people’s behaviour and don’t look the other way.

“From the responses to my original survey, which I sent out last autumn, it became clear that drug crime was and is causing severe detriment to the residents of Keighley.

"We have seen positive outcomes recently in terms of arrests, convictions and prosecutions of these criminals, and the police have advised me that they have already noticed a significant difference in several parts of the town.

"It is now essential that we keep moving forward on this and keep making improvements to reflect back on in the months ahead.”

The latest phase of the campaign's work to involve local schools was due to take place at Keighley College yesterday. (April 26)

Adult representatives from three secondary schools – Holy Family Catholic School, University Academy Keighley and Ilkley Grammar School – were due to meet with a team from Crimestoppers.

A spokesman for the project said the "Train the Trainers" event was designed to give school staff the resources they need to teach their pupils how to be aware of crime and how to report it to the authorities.