STALWART councillor Vera Tomlinson has spoken of her disgust after she was offered drugs from a man in Redhouse Village Centre.

Vera, who was elected in 2008 having retired to Swindon from her previous role as a councillor in Kidderminster, told of her disbelief after police rubbished reports that there was any kind of drug problem in the area.

Speaking at a meeting of the North Locality this week, North Locality Inspector Charlie Ducker said that, following reports from residents about drugs being dealt in the area, a CCTV camera was moved to try and catch the offenders.

He said: “I am happy to report that there isn’t a problem, but if anything drugs- related comes up we can pick it up on the camera.”

However, Coun Tomlinson disagreed and said she had witnessed the problem with her own eyes.

“I have seen young men selling packets of white substance from the back of a car and money being handed over for it,” she said.

“I am not imagining these things.

“A young, cheeky lad even asked me if I was stood waiting to buy some.

“What the police call no problem, I would say is a very serious problem in Redhouse because there are several schools around and the children use that Tesco store as their tuck shop – they go in there when these people are selling drugs.

“It is almost like an accident waiting to happen and I am not happy that it is not being seen as a problem.”

Insp Ducker said: “This is the kind of offence that will only be detected by intelligence coming in to us.

“If it is more of a problem than I have alluded to then I would be pleased to hear about it with as much information as possible.

“I can only assure you that, compared to other areas, it is not significant.

“I base that on the levels of arrests, the levels of intelligence and the level of information coming in to us, but I am not hiding from the fact that it may go on.”

Anyone who sees anybody acting suspiciously in the Redhouse area is asked to contact the police on 101.or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.