by Aimi Moores

POLICE have raided three homes after carrying out an investigation into crime and anti-social behaviour outside a job centre.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after officers battered down the doors of three properties shortly before 8am yesterday.

The raids followed inquiries after problems in the Huntbach Street area of Hanley.

Residents had voiced concerns over drug-taking, street-drinking and gangs around the Job Centre.

Yesterday's raids saw a 45-year-old man arrested on suspicion of supplying class-A drugs, and allowing his property to be used for drug dealing, after officers targeted a ground-floor flat in Broom Street, Northwood.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were arrested at a house in St Michael's Road in Chell, and a 50-year-old man was arrested in a raid on a property in Balfour St, Hanley. Police arrested a fifth man, a 30-year-old from Normacot, later in the day. All are suspected of supplying class-A drugs.

Officers spent yesterday morning searching the homes and those arrested were questioned.

Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, commander of the City Centre Neighbourhood Team, said: "These raids were part of our ongoing work in the Huntbach Street area to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour.

"We've been doing a great deal of work to tackle issues identified by residents, and we've been working closely with the Job Centre and the other businesses in the area to find out about the main issues affecting them and their customers.

"The arrests are a result of detailed evidence gathering into the supply of drugs, and the actions of a small, but very visible minority of people who have been causing distress to residents, and users of the various services and businesses in the area."

A woman was visiting her elderly mother when she saw the Broom Street raid taking place.

She did not wish to be identified, but said: "There have been anti-social problems at that property and I've been concerned about my mum.

" We have complained about it. It's good to see the police there."

Plain clothes officers and neighbourhood bobbies are also gathering information to support an application for an Alcohol Restriction Zone in the Huntbach Street area.

Paul Breeze, chairman on Hanley One Residents' Association, said: "For a long time residents have been complaining about Huntbach Street and St John Street, about people drinking, taking drugs and hanging around.

The police have been doing undercover work, which can be quite frustrating because it can seem like nothing is getting done.

"These raids are good news for the area – it shows action being taken."

Update: 10:20am

POLICE have arrested two people on suspicion of drugs offences this morning after carrying out more raids.

Officers from Staffordshire Police raided two homes in Cobridge at around 8.15am, as part of Operation Nemesis.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs at a flat in Stansgate Place, while a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and Class B drugs at a house on Portland Street.

They were taken to the Northern Area Custody Facility at Etruria where they will be questioned by detectives later.

Yesterday officers made five arrests after raiding homes in Northwood, Hanley and Chell.

Four people were charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and are due to appear in court this morning.

The fifth person arrested yesterday has been released on bail pending further inquiries. 

Anyone with information about the supply of drugs can call police on 0300123 4455 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Story filed in: Staffordshire Police | Operation Nemesis | News | Hanley