THREE men have been arrested following a series of dawn police raids.

More than 30 police officers were involved in the early morning swoops targeting suspected drug dealers and burglars in the Durham City area.

It was shortly after 7.30am today (Thursday, January 29) when police working under Operation Relentless executed warrants at four properties on Sherburn Road Estate.

Later, there were house searches in Langley Moor and West Rainton.

Neighbourhood police team officers were aided by specialists and sniffer dogs.

At a house on Fair View, West Rainton, police discovered what they described as a sophisticated cannabis farm with a large amount of the cultivated drug apparently ready for sale.

The occupant, a 76-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested a 43-year-old man at another house in the same village.

Also this morning, officers arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with a burglary which took place in Neville’s Cross on Wednesday night (January 28).

Various items of jewellery and electrical, believed to have been stolen during the break-in, were recovered.

The police say there has been a “slight increase” in burglaries of unoccupied houses in Neville’s Cross and the surrounding area during the late afternoon and early evening.

However, they stress Durham remains one of the UK’s safest cities to live in.

Dave Coxon, the neighbourhood inspector for Durham City, said: “This operation was about targeting people we suspect of being involved in drug dealing and associated crime.

“We know the vast majority of residents in Sherburn Road are honest, law-abiding people who work hard and want to live in a safe, crime-free environment.

“We hope operations such as this will reassure them we do listen to their concerns, gather intelligence and then take action.”

Anyone with information about drug dealing or any other criminal activity is urged to call Durham Police on the non-emergency number, 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

Operation Relentless was given its name to recognise the police’s determination to continually target people who blight communities with their crimes.