POLICE arrested 12 people yesterday (Wednesday) during early-morning drug raids on eight addresses in Blackpool.

Around 50 officers stormed homes in Foxhall, Talbot and Hawes Side areas as part of Operation Nimrod, an ongoing county-wide operation targeting suspected dealers of Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine. A further raid was carried out at an address in Thornton.

A convoy of riot vans, and vehicles carrying sniffer dogs set off just after 7am from Blackpool Central Police Station, Bonny Street, to the various addresses.

The 12 people arrested were then taken to Blackpool Central Police Station for questioning.

Police community beat managers in the areas around the raids then distributed leaflets to neighbours explaining what the raids were about to help reassure residents and show their concerns are being addressed.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter O'Dwyer, who co-ordinated raids, said: "We are trying to send out a clear message to the drug dealers in Blackpool that if they carry on this activity they can expect to be arrested and can expect a long custodial sentence.

"Drug trafficking in Blackpool will not be tolerated, anyone caught trafficking on the streets will be dealt with harshly."

The raids are the result of months of planning by police, including work by undercover officers, based on information from members of the community.

DCI O'Dwyer said: "All the operations that went on today were based on community intelligence, concerns of people within the borough who give us information freely which we work on. What we are trying to highlight today are the drug traffickers at street level. These are the people that are stood on our street corners, in our telephone boxes, mingling with the community and with our children."

He said the police intelligence unit has a 'good picture' of the type of drugs available in Blackpool and where they are coming from.

Inspector Neil Sherry at Blackpool Central said police are planning more raids in Blackpool.

Previous raids in the town have revealed evidence of other drug-related crimes and police said yesterday's operation could provide additional evidence of burglaries, shoplifting and street crime.

But Blackpool Police said they are also interested in the rehabilitation of drug offenders, made possible through Blackpool schemes such as the Tower Project.

DCI O'Dwyer added: "Drug use and drug trafficking is a problem that all towns and cities across the country suffer. I wouldn't say that Blackpool is any better or any worse than anywhere else.

"Where we have been successful in Blackpool, where other areas haven't, is that we actually look to offer treatment to drug users.

"By looking at the problem from that angle we are taking away the demand for drugs."

He described information from residents as 'the lifeblood' of the battle against drugs. "Without help and assistance from the community we wouldn't be able to do these operations, it's as simple as that," he said.

And he urged residents with any information or concerns about drug dealing to contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.