Drug crime in Kings Langley has risen a whopping 700 per cent, according to figures provided by Hertfordshire police.

At a Kings Langley parish council meeting on Tuesday evening, PC Nik Pringle revealed that drug offences had risen from one in the years 2008-2009, to eight in years 2009-2010.

PC Pringle said: “We have been cracking down on drugs in the area and trying to remove the dealers.

“We stopped a car recently with four lads and each of them was carrying cannabis.

“Each was charged with separate offences which would account for a 400% rise in drug crime.

“These figures I’m presenting to you show that an increase of seven offences relates to a 700% increase.”

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: “Kings Langley has seen a drop in almost every area of crime, other than drug offences, for April to September this year compared to the same period last year.

“This equates to a drop in six out of the eight offences listed, and the increases have only been minimal – with only seven more drug offences than last year.

“It is a shame that such small number increases can so adversely affect the percentage increases and give an inaccurate picture.

"Drug crime is still relatively low in Kings Langley and we are very proactive in tracking down any offences.

“As always, we would encourage residents to help us detect further crime in the future by contacting us to report incidents on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222, or, if a crime is taking place 999.”