DRUG taking has been reported at Otley's new skateboard park - just one week after it opened.

Worried parents have been contacting police after seeing youngsters apparently smoking drugs at the newly-opened skatepark in Wharfemeadows Park.

During the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend, parents with their children went straight to the police after spotting young people acting suspiciously and apparently smoking drugs in and around the park where hundreds of youngsters had gone to play.

Now police are patrolling the area and are urging parents to report anything suspicious - in a bid to stop the problem before it is let to get out of control.

Otley community police officer Sergeant Paul Johnston said police were patrolling the area because of the great number of young people attracted to the skatepark.

He said: "We will be taking steps to look at the problem with the view of stamping it out.

"We were aware the area is a high focal point with lots of children and have been down there, but more to make sure there was no infighting between the children.

"We were aware that large numbers of children are going down there but we did not anticipate drugs. Now we will be looking at drugs as well."

Sgt Johnston added parents who were worried about anything they saw at the park should report it to the police.

Councillor Phil Coyne, chairman of the Space to Grow project, which raised funds for the skatepark, said it was very worrying.

But he added it might have been expected because drug taking among young people seemed to be on the increase.

"It is seriously worrying and I shall be talking to the police about it. It was perhaps inevitable in one way because unfortunately drugs are endemic now," said Coun Coyne.

Coun Coyne added that he hoped that drug takers would be put off by the number of people who were going to the park to watch the youngsters skate.

"It is well known that the presence of other people is the best deterrent to crime. We want all age groups down there," said Coun Coyne.

Coun Coyne hoped that the problem with drugs would not put people off supporting the skatepark and help raise the £8,000 still needed to pay for additional equipment wanted.

"I'm absolutely thrilled by the way the skatepark is being used and the way that the users are acting towards each other," he said.

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