PEOPLE are continuing the fight to get drug dealers off the streets of Darlington by passing vital information to the police.

The Rat on a Rat campaign in the town is into its second week and scores of people have already called a special hotline to pass on information about drug dealers to the police.

The campaign, backed by The Northern Echo, aims to encourage members of the public to pass on anonymous information about drug dealers' criminal activities to the authorities.

As well as phoning in, people can also log on to a website to leave information about dealers in their area.

Sergeant Paul Robinson, of Darlington police, said: "We keep getting calls from people who are giving us interesting information.

"We have even received calls from people outside Darlington who have heard about the campaign and want to pass on information about their area. Any information for outside Darlington will be passed to the relevant force.

"Everything we are told will be looked into and acted upon. Drugs affect the whole community, and it is up to the community to fight back by giving us information.

"Everything we are told will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Anyone with information about drug dealers is asked to call Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111 or log on to www.nettherat.org