A SWIFT clean-up by the council and police could wipe out a developing crime hot spot in the city.

Residents in Clews Street, West Dubbo, are crying out for action over a pedestrian laneway which links them to East Street.

They have dubbed the lane “a thoroughfare for crime”.

They are alarmed that syringes are often discarded in the lane posing a health risk to their children.

Youths often walk down the lane and then across front yards.

Some intimidate and swear at residents.

In one incident, eight youths, one armed with a bat, chased a man down the lane.

The lane is also used by students wagging school. 

Residents are also concerned by the number of strange cars stopping in their street and waiting for people in what one resident believes are drug deals.

They said locking the lane at night could solve some problems.

But, the Dubbo City Council has upgraded the laneway “at considerable cost” and says locking it is not considered suitable.

It is required for access to the nearby facilities and is legitimately used by residents.

Residents would be justified in feeling it would be better to lock up and take the long road home.

Residents, police and the council should meet and find a solution before problems escalate and the area becomes, like other parts of Dubbo, a place of fear controlled by young thugs.