Police target 17 homes in early morning swoops

THIRTEEN people were arrested after police carried out dawn raids on the homes of suspected drug dealers.

Officers battered down the doors of 17 houses across the North Staffordshire police division before 8am yesterday.

The raids, involving more than 80 officers, were intended to target dealers who had a significant impact on residents.

Teams of police wearing protective gear set off from Newcastle and Leek police stations shortly before 7am.

Simultaneous raids then took place in Chesterton, Bradwell, Knutton, Clayton, Newcastle, Cheadle, Leek and Biddulph.

And eight men, aged between 24 and 32, and five women, aged between 24 and 36, were arrested and taken into custody at Leek police station or the Northern Area Custody Facility at Etruria.

Last night, six men and three women had been bailed pending further inquiries, a man and woman had been cautioned, one man was released without charge, and one man was given a street warning for cannabis possession.

Items seized yesterday morning included Class A drugs, cannabis vegetation, drug paraphernalia, air weapons, cash and mobile phones, computers and a CS gas cannister.

The raids, which followed weeks of detailed investigation and planning, were executed by North Staffordshire officers and the force's Tactical Support Team, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

And Chief Superintendent Jon Drake, commander of North Staffs said: "This operation sends out a clear and unequivocal message to drug dealers – we are coming after you and will bring you to justice.

"Through Operation Nemesis, we are able to build the community's confidence by showing we clearly understand the issues that matter to people, and that we are taking effective, action to tackle those concerns."

Raids took place on Moran Road and Wilmot Close in Knutton, Romney Avenue and Cedar Road in Chesterton, Old Hall Drive in Bradwell, Sorrel Gardens at Westbury Park, Coppice Close, John Street and St John's Road in Biddulph, Haregate Road in Leek and Queens Street in Cheadle. Some streets saw more than one raid take place.

Officers executed two simultaneous warrants at separate addresses on Moran Road.

DC Becky Evans, officer in charge of one of the Moran Road raids, said: "The occupant was at the location but no drugs were recovered. However, phones and other drug paraphernalia were seized."

A Moran Road resident, who did not want to be identified, said he was not surprised to see so many police.

He said: "In the last year, there must have been three raids on different houses on this road. It's good to see the police doing something about drug dealing."

Tony Eagles, chairman of Knutton Residents' Association, added: "If they get any results from these raids then good luck to them. I think it will reassure residents that the police are taking action."

In Leek, the raid on Haregate Road saw a man and a woman arrested.

Neighbours said they were aware of what was going on behind closed curtains at the property, and that it was not the police's first visit to the house.

One resident said: "We were woken early in the morning by loud banging. At first I thought someone was being burgled and then I saw the police.

"A man and woman live there. We do not see much of them. They keep themselves to themselves, but they do get a lot of visitors and a lot of them are well-known druggies.

"There was a similar raid on the same house some time ago. "They are not the sort of people you want in your neighbourhood. They have got a young son; I just feel very sorry for him."

Moorlands Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey said: "I am very pleased with the way the operation has gone.

"It was initially an intelligence-led operation, but it doesn't end now and I would encourage any members of the public who suspect drug dealing is taking place in their community to contact us via Crimestoppers."

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

"Nine out of 10 people work for a living and pay for what they've got, so why should people get away with anything different?

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

Yesterday afternoon, police community support officers visited the targeted areas to explain the morning's action to residents, alongside drugs and alcohol referral workers offering advice on treatment.

Newcastle borough Chief Inspector Adrian Roberts said the measures were designed to show that the force would continue to tackle drug dealing, as well as the other crimes associated with it.

He added: "We are pleased with the operation.

"The message I would give to the local community, and also as a warning to those involved in drug supply, is that we are continuing to execute warrants and conduct searches under Operation Nemesis when we get the information to do so.

"The leaflet dropping today tells people that this is a continuing process of us responding to the information people give us."

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.