SPECIAL drug enforcement patrols are taking to the streets of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale to carry out drug raids.

The patrols will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, touring hot spot crime areas and taking part in drugs raids throughout the Pennine division.

On board the special drug enforcement van will be search trained officers and highly skilled drugs dogs which can sniff out Class A drugs as well as other illegal substances in a matter of minutes.

According to support unit Inspector Chris Bithell, the new enforcement patrols, coupled with other divisional drugs activity, will mean there is no place to hide for local drug dealers.

He said: "Since Safer Streets in Lancashire was launched in Pennine two months ago, 70 people have already been arrested in connection with the supply of drugs across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale and that's just for starters.

"More arrests will follow as we step up patrols and begin to carry out a raid a day in our bid to rid local communities of drug related crime."

He added: "If you deal in drugs and you haven't yet received a visit from local police then it is only a matter of time before you do. If people think they can get away with dealing drugs then they are very much mistaken."

Safer Streets in Lancashire is a year-long, county-wide crackdown, launched as a direct result of the Government's Street Crime Initiative.

Inspector Bithell concluded: "We will use a wide variety of tactics in targeting the places frequented by those dealing in controlled drugs. In short, no stone will be left unturned in our bid to combat drug dealing activities."