A pioneering website encouraging people to become cyber snoops is netting police new information about drug dealers.

The Bradford Crimebeat initiative was the first scheme of its kind in the country when it went online last month.

Since then dozens of electronic informants have logged on to shop suspected drug dealers operating in the district.

No-one has been arrested as a direct result of the information, but detectives say the tip-offs have been good quality and could be used to strengthen on-going prosecutions.

Eccleshill Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde said: "Members of the public have provided us with some good information, which is very encouraging.

"We are happy to receive information about any criminal activity. The majority of contact has been about drug-related crime, but we also want people to tell us about burglary and car crime."

Internet users accessing Crimebeat are told that the sending of malicious information could result in a prosecution.

"We thought the site might get a load of abuse, but I am pleased to say people are using it properly," he said.

Bradford Crimebeat is part of the Bradford Police website. Informants are asked to fill out an on-screen form listing locations, dates and other details. The site is checked daily by officers at Toller Lane Police, and any information is confidentially logged on the existing reporting system.

"As yet, no-one has been arrested as a result of the information. But we have had some information about minor offences, which have now been dealt with by officers."

Surfers logging onto the Bradford Police website can also tap into information about their local policing division and more than 60 pages of crime prevention advice.

Crimebeat can be found at www.bradfordpolice.co.uk and officers can be e-mailed at info@bradfordpolice.co.uk