A resident has praised a campaign that is tackle drug dealing in the Columbia Road area through street art.

The Columbia Tenants and Residents Association teamed up with a group of artists known as the Columbia Road Cartel to produced markings in popular drug dealing ‘hotspots’.

Examples including a parking bay for ‘drug dealers only’ and similar signs posted on lampposts last month.

The campaign received national attention, a reaction that was welcomed by the resident who wishes to be anonymous.

She said: “A lot of residents were really pleased, morale was getting quite low, the number of people who thanked us for doing it was great, both old and young gave a positive reaction.”

However she slammed the council for removing the signs within 24 hours.

A council spokesman said: “The street art initiative by residents in the Columbia Road area did not go unnoticed and has not been ignored.

“The council has been in contact with the groups involved to listen to their concerns and we want to continue working with them.”