Neighbours have claimed addicts and users regularly use BT kiosks in Lorne Road, The Mounts, for illegal activity.

A number of people living in the area have tried to get the phone boxes removed over the past four years, or moved to Barrack Road where they would be more visible.

Lorne Road resident Sarah Rees, aged 31, said: "I hate it around here, you see drug deals going on all the time. It is a horrible place to bring up children."

Ian Willington, aged 42, said: "I see a lot of dodgy things going on around the area. The police should patrol it more and these telephone boxes need to be moved to Barrack Road, that would be a help."

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they regularly saw people hanging around the kiosks early in the morning waiting for a car and then an "exchange" takes place.

Last week the Chronicle & Echo reported that suspicious activity had been reported in the area, with cars pulling up to pedestrians and illicit drug deals taking place.

It is thought dealers are coming to the ward because of its closeness to the town centre and a lack of CCTV cameras.

In October 28-year-old Gareth Weaver – a long-term alcoholic understood to have been going through rehab to help cure his addiction – was found dead in one of the phone boxes.

The drug dealing problem had previously been reported in the area but had disappeared until earlier this year.

A BT spokesman said: "Anti-social behaviour and drugs are clearly a social problem, something that BT are victims of too. We have met with the council, police and a local resident on the matter.

"We are committed to continue to work with the police and the local community to combat these issues and find a solution whilst maintaining a public payphone service which is clearly in demand."

Police are urging people to note number plates of cars they believe to be involved. Call 08453 700700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.