Seven arrested in dawn drugs raids

As part of an investigation by Lancashire’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, with colleagues from East Division, warrants were executed at addresses in Eskdale Close, Halifax Road, Limefield Avenue and Heyhead Street, in Brierfield, and Colne Road and Devonshire Road, Burnley.

Business premises in Brierfield, Barnoldswick, Great Harwood and Salford were also searched.

Five of those arrested were from Brierfield and aged between 24 and 45. The others were both aged 28 and from Burnley.

They are currently in custody being questioned by officers.

Det. Chief Insp. Graham Gallagher said: “Today’s raids come after months of work investigating drugs-related crime across Lancashire.

“This is just another example of our SOCU team’s commitment to causing significant disruption to organised crime gangs who operate in our communities.

“The officers on this unit are focused on targeting these groups, disrupting their activities and removing large quantities of controlled drugs from the streets of the county.

“The activities of drug dealers can have a dramatic effect on our communities. They can ruin lives, fuel other crime, can instil fear in our neighbourhoods and we are determined to tackle that.

“We are taking the hard line with those involved in dealing drugs. My message is that we will find you, come to your address if we need to and put you before the courts.”

Chief Insp. Sheena Tattum said: “This morning’s raids are part of our on-going commitment to taking drugs off our streets.

“Local residents have raised concerns about drug dealing in the area and I would like to reassure those residents we have listened to those concerns and will take action against those believed to be responsible.

“We need the public to continue to work with us to help us tackle drug crime by informing us of any suspicious activity.”

Officers and Police Community Support Officers have been conducting patrols in the areas to reassure locals.

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw accompanied officers on one of the raids, and saw first-hand the work the Constabulary is doing to take drugs off the streets.

He said: “Drugs damage communities and destroy lives – and I know residents want them off the streets and the criminals responsible for supplying them behind bars. Residents have told me first-hand the impact drug-related crime has on neighbourhoods, and I want to make sure Lancashire’s communities are the safest they can be.

“I was pleased to support this operation and hope it has demonstrated to the local community the commitment of myself and Lancashire Constabulary to targeting those who supply class A drugs.

“It shows residents there are concerns are listened to and acted upon – and that is the message I want to send to anyone concerned about illegal activity in their neighbourhood.”

Anyone with information about drugs activity in their community should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.