Hamilton Parish residents are banding together to beat drug barons who are threatening to ruin their neighbourhood.

Last Saturday around 15 residents removed a wooded area where dealers lurked and now plans are afoot to take down a suspected crack shack.

Resident Juan Wolffe said neighbours had been worried about increased drug activity over the last few months.

But he said they were spurred into action when one female resident lost all her Christmas presents and precious jewellery in a burglary.

Mr. Wolffe, who is also a Crown counsel, said: "Last week people decided we had to do something about this.

"It's a beautiful neighbourhood falling prey to drug dealers. There's a lot of people who look like they are on drugs.'' A group including local MPs Arthur Hodgson, Derrick Burgess and Randy Horton took down trees and bushes along a 150-foot-plus stretch of Cottage Hill. The cleared area revealed a heap of beer bottles plus some paper twists which may have contained drugs.

"There were also holes in the wall where we understand they hid drugs.'' It took the group several hours to get rid of the foliage said Mr. Wolffe, but they were spurred on by wellwishers who brought soup and rolls.

"Some trees were 20 feet high, they were overhanging the telegraph pole. It provided coverage for the dealers to do their business. People were hanging beside this wall who didn't live in the area.

"It was really getting out of hand. If we didn't take action they would solidify their spot.

"We are reclaiming our area, they had an attitude of total disregard and acted like they belonged there.

"There was noise in the early hours and screaming and cussing which made us believe violence was taking place.

Roadside cleared walls, that's fine. But when they are selling drugs it is totally different scenario.'' "If everyone agrees we might clear away a barn where we think they are doing crack. We haven't worked out the logistics yet.'' Better street lighting and setting up a neighbourhood watch is also on the cards as residents seek to keep the dealers on the run.

And Mr. Wolffe said residents would be keeping a close eye on strangers hanging about at odd hours and would pass on registration numbers to the Police.

He said: "When we see trucks and cars driving around with their lights off we will take the number.'' Mr. Hodgson said Hamilton Parish was suffering from problems typical to the rest of Bermuda.

He said: "It's drugs, crime, homelessness.'' He said the initiative which began last week was a good start.

"A couple of folks in the community called around and said let's get together.

"We are continuing work started last week, this Saturday at midday.''