INTELLIGENCE from members of the public led to the jailing of three drug dealers, and police are urging more people to follow suit.

Officers have been travelling around Hitchin speaking to residents about drug crime, and will continue to do so into the weekend.

It follows the sentencing of three men, who were convicted of supplying class A drugs.

Thomas Norton, 26, of Baldock, was sentenced to six years in prison, Samuel Turner, 24, of Woolgrove Road, Hitchin, was sentenced to five years, and Anthony Lidder, 24, of Chaucer Way, Hitchin, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years.

The men were sentenced in November.

Safer neighbourhood sergeant Guy Westwood said: “As a team, we feel it’s important to come out and engage with the local community.

“The convictions of these three dealers was down to intelligence we received – and we want to show the public we can’t do our jobs without information that comes from them.”

Police, who have visited or will visit Chaucer Way, Oughtonhead Way, Woolgrove Road, Woolgrove Court, Fairfield Way, Sanfoine Close, Bradleys Corner, Sharps Court, Cooks Way, Periwinkle Lane, Benchley Hill and Highover Way, are also asking if there are other issues residents want them to focus on.

“We also want to ask residents if they have any other local concerns,” added Sergeant Westwood.

“This is a good way of helping us set local policing priorities for the future.”

Anyone with information on crime, including drug dealing, is asked to call the non-emergency police number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.