The chamber then plans to invoke federal customs legislation which could see anyone found in possession of heroin forced to face a prison sentence rather than just the fine stipulated under state laws.

Chamber president Ross Treyvaud said the community was sick of police inaction and feared a heroin injecting room similar to Kings Cross would be opened in Cabramatta.

"What we propose to do is we'll arrest users who enter any injecting room placed in Cabramatta and then have them charged for carrying a prohibited import," he said.

Mr Treyvaud said heroin was not produced here and therefore an illegal import, allowing them to pursue holders to be charged under federal legislation.

"We're getting from the police that they've cleaned up Cabramatta but they don't seem willing to reduce the heroin supply on our streets, and this is designed to give a message that if the police don't do something the community will," he said.

Under common law people are entitled to make an arrest if they believe a crime has been committed.

Law Society president Nick Meagher said as long as only necessary force was used and an offence was proven, police had an obligation to prosecute.

Fairfield councillor Thang Ngo yesterday attacked the vigilante proposal calling for greater community consultation before citizens "took the law into their own hands".

"I can understand their frustration but we don't want Cabramatta to degenerate into a lawless society," Mr Ngo said, adding that police deserved more time to improve the area following a number of new initiatives designed to attack the drug trade.

A spokeswomanfor NSW Attorney-General Bob Debus said that while there was a provision under the Crimes Act for civilian arrests, people should not place themselves in danger.

"People are encouraged to go to police unless there are exceptional circumstances," the spokeswoman said. She said that under the Crimes Act there was "no provision for vigilantism".

But Cabramatta shopkeepers supported calls to clean up the area.

John Thai, a newsagent said he agreed with the need for private forces to enforce the law. Mr Thai said criminals were breaking the law without fear of police action.