A HIGHER police presence is to be seen on the streets of York city centre in a bid to ease fears over crime and drug use.

The high visibility patrols in the Walmgate area will form part of a strategy aimed at boosting public confidence.

In addition, each local household will be receiving a leaflet setting out recent crime figures - and seeking help from residents in reducing them

A mobile community police vehicle will be in Walmgate on Friday between 11am and 4pm, and on Saturday between 3pm and 7pm.

The initiative follows revelations in the Evening Press that a yard close to Fossgate was being used as a "shooting alley" where addicts were injecting themselves and leaving needles.

But the police leaflet being circulated to all local households in the Walmgate policing beat area says: "There have been 129 reported crimes in your area (in the last 90 days), which means you enjoy a relatively low crime rate compared with other similar local areas."

It adds there have been 19 incidents related in some ways to drug abuse reported in the last 90 days - which is "roughly half" that for the previous 90-day period, a figure which the police hope to push still lower.

Sergeant Nigel Thompson said the break-ins were clearly related to drug use, and police had reports of "small-time dealing" on street corners.

But he said other drug-related activities were mainly related to people using Walmgate as a "thoroughfare" to go to particular areas where they would "shoot up".

He added the city's drug squad was "looking at" the dealers. "Our arrest rate is up, and drug-related incidents are down.

"We are active, we do know what they are doing, and we are out there."

"If people talk to us, let us know what the problems are and give us information, it's easier for us to act," said Sergeant Thompson.

Updated: 11:03 Tuesday, October 15, 2002