For the first time in the 15-year history of the Crimestoppers anti-crime charity, people will be able to pass on details of dealers by a free postal service.

The leaflets will be issued in parts of Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Fife and Edinburgh. The areas were selected on the basis of advice from the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and local police forces.

The move is the latest development in an anti-drugs campaign that has seen a four-fold increase in the number of telephone calls to Crimestoppers.

Deputy justice minister Hugh Henry said 38 drugs arrests had been made so far and nearly 2000 “vital” pieces of information had been reported.

“We want to continue to build on that success — in particular to help the public and police in some of the communities hardest hit by drugs turn the tide against this evil trade,” said the minister.

“That's why from next week, we will be stepping up our campaign against the dealers operating in those areas. Leaflets for around 220,000 households will, for the first time, enable the public to give anonymous information to Crimestoppers through a freepost address.

“I would urge anyone who has information that could help put a drug dealer out of business and behind bars to ensure they take five minutes to fill in the relevant information.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Ward, of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA), said, “Information on drug dealers, such as the name or nickname of the dealer, where and how they deal, their car registration number, the days or times they are most active, the type of drugs they are selling, anything you can tell us is helpful.

“The Scottish police service and the SDEA are acting right now on the information already received and this campaign really is making a difference.”

If this direct-mail scheme proves to be a success, the Executive and Crimestoppers will consider extending it into other parts of the country.