POLICE in south Chingford are tackling drug dealing by reducing garage walls.

The Valley Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been running a project to cut anti-social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime in the old garage areas of Hazel Way, Lilac Close, Laburnum Close and Rowan Avenue on Chingford Hall Park.

Police said young people often gathered around derelict garage walls on the estate to deal drugs.

They decided to reduce the majority of the walls to waist height so they no longer had any obvious places to hide.

Sergeant Tony How said: "There was a lot of anti-social behaviour associated with drugs in the area.

"The youths would congregate in the area around the cars.

"You can't confront all of them because there are too many of them.

"We managed to get the support of residents in the area.

"We could target the youths everytime we see something, but that is not solving the problem.

"We talked to the youths when we thought they were drug dealing, but the only long-term solution was to take the walls down.

"The area is now open to the elements and everyone can see them.

"The Payback team helped reduce walls.

"Ascham Homes put in bricks at 45 degree angles to prevent people sitting on them."

The project was spearheaded by PCSO Shashi Tailor. He said: "We started looking at this project last August, so it has taken a long time.

"The work started in February and was completed this month.

"The residents feel a lot safer now, because it is not just the crime taking place, but the fear of crime in the area."

Resident Carol Canham, 60, of Lilac Close, said the improvements have transformed the area.

She said: "I think it's brilliant what they have done.

"It is a lot better, tidier and feels a lot safer. The police have worked very hard here.

"My neighbours are very pleased with the work.

"I can now see my next door neighbour, which I couldn't before.

The wall was blocking us. I can now look outside my window and see the buses, which I couldn't do before.

"I can time it and know when to go to the bus stop.

"It feels a lot safer because you don't get people hanging about like they were before."

The police worked with Waltham Forest Council, Payback, Better Neighbourhood Initiatives, Ascham Homes and Selco on the project.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter