TIP-offs to police on the activities of drugs dealers have fallen, but Detective Superintendent Adrian Roberts, who pioneered the Dealer a Day operation, launched last December, insists the campaign is going from strength to strength.

Officers act on information passed to Crimestoppers and in the last week, seven raids on addresses across Middlesbrough have netted drugs with a street value of more than £100.

Det Supt Roberts said: "For some reason the flow of information to Crimestoppers has recently dipped.

"It may be that people have called some time ago or have seen action taken and think we have all the information we need. That simply isn't the case - dealers change tactics, move around and sometimes set up again, despite police raids.''

Mr Roberts and his team have received messages of support and congratulations from an unexpected source - the local criminal underworld which will have nothing to do with drugs.

Following the most recent raids a 26-year-old man has been charged with drugs supply offences and bailed to attend Teesside Magistrates Court. Five people were arrested for possession of drugs.

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.