Wake up call sends signal in battle to clean up streets

ALL was quiet on the suburban street in Leek as a police team prepared their offensive under the cloak of darkness.

A van load of officers gathered at 6.55am before using a battering ram to gain entry into a semi-detached property in Haregate Road.

Shouts could be heard from the occupiers as the shock and noise of the uPVC front door being forced open became a reality.

The suspect was swiftly apprehended by the officers.

The team then carried out a thorough search that would last two hours.

A sniffer dog was brought in and an Operation Nemesis flag was put up to inform the community what was happening.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I thought someone's property was being burgled when I heard the noise, which woke the family."

Another resident said: "We were woken early in the morning by loud banging.

"At first I thought someone was being burgled, then I saw the police.

"A man and woman live there. We do not see much of them. They keep themselves to themselves.

"They have got a young son, I just feel very sorry for him."

Members of the community praised the police operation and its overall aim of clearing the housing estate of drug problems and associated crimes.

One resident said: "Anything the police do to take drugs and drug dealers off the streets has to be welcomed.

"We do not want any drug dealers in the town."

Sandra Cooper, chairman of community group Haregate In Action, lives near to the house.

She said: "My husband went out to put the bins out at around 7.45am and told me about all the police being outside. We wondered what had happened.

"They should be cracking down on these people if they are doing something unlawful.

"Nobody wants that sort of thing going on near them – everyone just wants a peaceful life."