A NATIONAL newspaper has labelled Barrow as a 'drug-plagued' town which is driving young people out of the area.

The Sun has published an article branding Barrow a 'drug-plagued' town as part of its Broken Britain series, which focuses on towns struggling to survive during the cost of living crisis.

Barrow Island resident James Riche told The Sun: “Covid hit the town centre hard. I call it death row because so many of the shops are shut and boarded up. We avoid it.

“There’s nothing else for kids to do around here but vandalise. It’s hard because there’s nowhere to go shopping. Maybe Manchester if you can afford it, but most can’t.”

The publication also claims the lack of opportunity is driving young people out of the area.

Resident Joanne Jackson said in the article: “It’s scary to be here because nothing seems to be going forward.

“There’s nothing going on. There are no shops left. BAE can only provide so many jobs and people having to claim benefits are not going to be able to afford gas, electric and food. 

“The situation here is getting really bad - then add in the vandalism on top, no one wants to stay here."

Detective Superintendent Dean Holden, Cumbria’s head of crime, was also quoted in the article, telling The Sun that it's like 'whack-a-mole' trying to rid the area of county lines operations.

He said: "One of our issues is the speed at which people set up new lines. It's like these whack-a-mole games at Blackpool - as soon as we hit one, there are others popping up.”

The article raises the issue of 'boarded-up buildings, piles of rubbish and a pocket of fly-tipped furniture' found on the residential streets.