FOUR people were arrested today after police swooped on the homes of suspected drug pushers in a series of raids.

Detectives targeted five homes in Blackburn at 6am and recovered stolen property and a quantity of substances believed to be drugs as part of their war on dealers and thieves.

A number of police officers from Blackburn were joined by the Police Support and Training Units in the operation.

An amount of what is thought to be heroin and jewellery and credit cards were removed from addresses.

Police using sniffer dogs raided the homes in Green Lane, Montague Street and Livesey areas at the same time.

Four people were arrested at the scene and taken to Blackburn police station for questioning.

The operation, codenamed Jigsaw 2, follows other raids on Blackburn homes four weeks ago when police made several arrests and found stolen property and crack cocaine.

Police said the raids have followed the widespread public concern over drugs use in their areas.

Residents are now working in partnership with police to wipe out the drugs menace and police say the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Drive Out Drugs Campaign is helping highlight the problem.

Inspector Tony Harling said: "We executed five search warrants early today which resulted in a quantity of drugs and stolen property being recovered.

"The raids are part of our intelligence-led policing where we are working closely with residents who are very concerned about drugs in their neighbourhoods. Recent stories in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph are highlighting the drugs problem and making the public more aware."

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