INFORMATION from within a North-East community has led to ten men and five women being arrested as part of a week-long operation.

From Monday, September 14, to Friday, September 18, officers carried out a series of raids at addresses in the Croft and Cowpen Quay area of Blyth, Northumberland.

A total of 15 people were arrested on suspicion of drug, burglary and shoplifting offences and have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Controlled drugs including heroin, amphetamine and cannabis were seized along with suspected stolen property including gardening equipment, DVD players, laptops and televisions along with mobile phones and cameras.

A further four section 59 vehicle warnings were issued, which if breeched they will result in the cars being taken. A car was taken after the owner was found to have no insurance.

Chief Inspector Nicola Musgrove, of Northumbria Police, said: "This operation is a direct result of feedback from the local community and forms part of an ongoing timetable of partnership activity in the area.

"These arrests are just the start of this phase of the activity and with the support of partners we will continue to target those in our communities that cause harm and who are responsible for crime.

"The week of activity will send a strong and clear message to anyone considering committing crimes in the Blyth area, that the police are working with partners and the community to identify them and take action."

Blyth Neighbourhood Inspector Dave Simpson added: "We're committed to cracking down on crime and disorder in Blyth and we are determined to make it a hostile environment for criminals to operate in.  "Pro-active operations, involving both Northumbria Police and partner agencies, are one of the means by which we are achieving that."

Councillor Kath Nisbet from charity Improving Croft and Cowpen Quay said: "The week of action was welcomed by the residents and as well as police activity there was a lot of work done to clean up the Croft and Cowpen Quay area by the council, by working with the police we will do all we can to continue to improve the area."