Cllr Alan Mosley next to the telephone kiosk on the junction of Woodhall Close and New Park Road

Incoming calls will be barred to a phone box, known as “The Office”, in a troubled area of Shrewsbury because it is alleged to be a hub for drug dealers.

People in the Castlefields area are concerned about alleged illicit activities taking place in the kiosk on the corner of Woodall Close and New Park Road.

Some people have called for the box to be removed and investigations have begun to determine what action should be taken.

Now BT says it will introduce measures to tackle problems related to “vandalism” at the phone box.

But the firm said although it would take action, it had found no evidence of drug-dealing taking place there.

In a letter to Councillor Alan Mosley, Shropshire Council ward member for Castlefields, Steve Gilson, from BT, said he would write to West Mercia Police and the council’s anti-social behaviour unit in a bid to monitor the situation further.

He said: “There have been two instances of vandalism to this box in the past six months and although this is unacceptable, we do not feel that this warrants the removal of the box at this stage.

“I can confirm that we have now replaced all the glass with a polycarbonate material to prevent any future glass breakages.

“In addition we will place a bar on all the incoming calls, once the police authorise this action. This has proven successful in the past in deterring drug-dealing.”

Councillor Mosley said there had been a number of problems relating to the phone box, with people wanting it to be removed.

He said: “Unfortunately the phone box has been subject to considerable vandalism and a significant litter problem as local youths congregate there.

“This derives from its use in undertaking business relating to drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour.

“Apart from the few who regularly use the facility, locally known as ‘The Office’ there is unanimity in wishing the box removed.”

Councillor Mosley said although BT said it would not remove the box, he welcomed the new measures which will be introduced in a bid to prevent further problems.

By Russell Roberts