RUTHLESS heroin pushers have been targeting gangs of children as young as 11 in the leafy suburbs of York.

Undercover police found dealers touting the deadly drug to groups of youngsters congregating in Haxby and Wigginton.

The investigation resulted in two 17-year-olds being arrested after plain clothes policemen found one supplying heroin, and the other cannabis and amphetamines.

The discovery has left local residents reeling.

Police today urged parents to be aware where their children are and watch for signs of drug use as they continue their fight against the dealers.

The police operation was launched after fears that gangs congregating on the Ethel Ward playing fields, Ryedale Court Shopping Centre, Haxby, and Church Fields, Wigginton, were attracting the attention of drug dealers.

Sergeant Tim Bright, of York police, said: "These unscrupulous people have noticed that there are large numbers of youths congregating in these areas and they know they have money, which is exactly what the dealers are after.

"We have been concerned about these gangs for some time now and have found them drinking under age and in possession of drugs including cannabis and amphetamines before, but this move to heroin is extremely worrying.

"This is a very addictive and dangerous drug which can kill users."

He said that what made it even more worrying was the age of the people being targeted.

The local gangs have recently recruited new members to their ranks, including youngsters who have moved from primary schools to senior schools this year.

The chairman of the Haxby and Wigginton Youth and Community Association, Eddie Benson, said although they were regularly briefed by the police, they had not been aware of the latest operation, nor did the association know about the appearance of heroin in the area.

Mr Benson said it was a worrying development and an escalation of the drugs problem.

"It's a very worrying matter that all parents should be concerned about, and I think Tim Bright is right to bring the matter to the attention of parents," he added.

The association supported what the police were doing about drugs locally. Mr Benson did not wish to comment further until he had received more information.

Large gangs of youths have been gathering in Haxby for nearly two years, making residents' lives a misery and becoming the target for police crackdowns.

Recent searches have uncovered youths carrying drugs including cannabis and temazepam, but the finds of heroin signal a lethal new trend.

Two youths were released on bail as charges were considered by the Crown Prosecution Service.

see COMMENT 'Defeat drugs evil'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.