Drug offences in Preston are falling, according to figures revealed by a senior police officer.
Chief Inspector Kevin Evans, who covers the Preston city centre area, said there had been a 34 per cent reduction in drug related offences in the area since April 2012 .
For the whole of the central division, which takes in Preston, Lea, Fulwood, and Grimsargh, the reduction was 16 per cent.
Drug dealing has decreased five per cent.
The figures were revealed after two drug busts in the Avenham area on Friday morning which resulted in the discovery of a quantity of cannabis leaves.
Chief Insp Evans said: “Drug offences in our division are on the decline, but periodically we need to take action when people are telling us people are dealing drugs.
“A few years ago we used to do more of these type of things, but we don’t have the same kind of disposable resources now.
“He have limited resources and don’t pro-actively target what we might have done in the past.
“But even though the raids are less frequent, they seem to be having more impact.
“People are also getting the idea that it’s not worth dealing drugs – you will get caught and face the consequences.”
Insp Evans said he expects that the amount of drug offences in the division will continue to fall.
He has predicted that by the end of the year, levels will be 15 per cent down on what they are currently.”
He added: “While levels are coming down, we can’t get complacent.
“It’s always going to be an area that we keep an eye on.”