DRUGS raids in north Lancashire have been hailed as a success by police officers and communities.

Following months of undercover work more than 100 Lancashire Police officers swooped on houses in Bolton-le-Sands and Lancaster during eight strike days over the past four weeks.

The Operation Nimrod raids resulted in 46 people being arrested and charged with a total of 164 drugs offences related to the supply of heroin and cocaine in north Lancashire.

Superintendent Richard Spedding said: "The purpose of Nimrod is to remove those that supply the hardest drugs - such as heroin and cocaine - off our streets, whilst working with other agencies to help those whose daily lives rely on such drugs to kick their habit.

"Residents have been ecstatic at all the activity surrounding Nimrod and confidence in their local police has grown. "We are seen to be protecting their communities and their children.

"Drug dealing, in essence, is high level anti-social behaviour and blights communities. "Our activity also tackles crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime, which are committed to fund drug habits."

Lancashire Police will continue to monitor drugs and drug dealing through neighbourhood police teams and intelligence from those within the community.

A spokesperson for Addaction - the organisation that provides support and treatment for those arrested for drug offences - said the operation has brought a large number of people into treatment.

"Getting people involved with treatment is important as in the long term it can get them off drugs and we are pleased at the co-ordination between the offender management team and the police during Nimrod."

Anyone with information about drugs dealing in their community should contact Lancaster Police on 01524 63333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800-555-111.