POLICE have issued a zero tolerance warning to drug dealers after five people were arrested in dawn raids.

The arrests came after six properties in Brierfield and Colne were targeted as part of a seven-month long undercover operation into the supply of Class A drugs.

Sixty officers were involved in the raids at 8.30am yesterday (WED) morning on properties in Sacksville Street, Arthur Street, Stanley Street, Carr Road and Railway Street, all Brierfield, and Prospect Farm Caravan Park, Colne.

The four men and one woman arrested were being questioned in connection with supplying Class A drugs whilst police conducted searches of the properties.

Police said that operation was called Farenheit and is part of Operation Nimrod, a county-wide force wide operation dedicated to tackling drugs-related crime across the county.

The operation was viewed by invited representatives of the community, including Councillors Frank Wren and Nadeem Ahmed, along with the chair of the Lancashire Drugs Action Team, Mark Hindle.

Police said that the operation was meant to send shockwaves amongst drug dealers in the area.

Insp Russ Procter, Pendle's geographic inspector, said: "The arrests were made for those being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

"People who supply controlled drgs cause misery for the majority of the public who suffer from burgularies, vehicle crime and roberries.

"Today we have sent a very clear message to those people who are involved in dealing drugs, that the police do know who they are and what they are doing. They will be targeted and their activities will not be tolerated. We will leave no stone unturned in our bid to rid the streets of these dealers.

"Our communities have sent us a very clear message that they do not want people who illegally deal drugs to live among them. Decent people tell us time and again they do not welcome the disruptive criminal minority in their midst.

"We were very pleased that some key members from our communities were able to accompany us on the raids. They have made it very clear to us that they do not want people who illegally deal drugs to live among them and they have been working with us to achieve this aim."

Anyone with information about drugs dealing in their community are asked to contact the police at Accrington on 01254 51212 or confidentially to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.