A MASSIVE drugs blitz was launched today which police said would "change the face of Blackburn forever."

More than 200 officers were taking part in Lancashire's biggest anti-drugs crackdown in more than five years.

In a series of dawn raids -- codenamed Operation Hurricane -- 13 people were arrested.

Drugs sniffer dogs, the mounted branch and armed response units from all six of the county's police divisions were drafted in for the swoops, aimed at suspected heroin and crack cocaine dealers. Police were expecting to seize a quantity of drugs during the ongoing operation.

Eleven of those arrested were in Blackburn with one from Accrington and one from Blackpool.

The raids followed months of planning and observations by officers to gather evidence.

Police said that more than 20 personnel carriers left their base at Ewood Park at 7am and travelled to 17 target addresses. The man in charge of the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Hartley, said: "This has been a major operation not just for Blackburn but for the force as a whole. We have been working closely with the local community to gather information in preparation for this strike day.

"This is a focused police response to a community problem identified by that community and acted upon by the police.

"By arresting people believed to be dealing in drugs in the area, we hope the result will be a serious disruption to the drugs market in Eastern Division and this target day is only the start of a massive drive by the police to reduce drug dealing and drug related crime in the area."

Police said Operation Hurricane was an integral part of the Blackburn and Darwen Residents Against Drugs scheme (BRAD) launched at the end of July.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging members of the public to pass on information about suspected drug dealers in their area through the confidential Crimestoppers hotline of 0800 555 111.

Mr Hartley said: "The community has sent us a very clear message that they do not want people who illegally deal in drugs to live among them and they have been working with us to achieve this aim.

"We are sending a very clear message to those who are involved in dealing in drugs that the police know who they are and that they will be targeted as their actions will not be tolerated."

Mr Hartley said they were expecting a major reduction in drug related crime in the aftermath of the operation and stressed that officers would be continuing to work in the community to continue to target drug dealers.