SUSPECTED drug dealers were targeted as part of a crackdown on drug activity and anti-social behaviour in North-East neighbourhoods.

And as wake up calls go, the three-tonne impact of a battering ram destroying a front door cannot be ignored.

The deafening makeshift alarm is the sound criminals dread as dozens of police officers pour in to scour for evidence.

Two days of action has seen early-morning drug raids executed by Cleveland Police officers in areas plagued by drug activity and anti-social behaviour in Stockton.

The busts, that targeted town centre flats and terraced houses, were carried out on Thursday and Friday morning – just days after two deaths in Stockton were linked to use of low-grade heroin.

The deaths of three men and two women have all been connected to a bad batch on Teesside since early February.

However, quantities of class A, class B, and class C drugs have been taken off the streets as part of Operation Sparrow this week, with cash also seized and ten arrests made.

Inspector Darren Bainbridge, of the Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The days of action undertaken have been our response to concerns raised by the local community regarding drugs activity and associated anti-social behaviour.

“These residents live with the anti-social behaviour that comes with drug dealing every day. 

“By working closely with residents and partner agencies we have been able to make arrests and potentially stop dangerous drugs being distributed onto the streets of Stockton. 

“I hope that action reassures local communities and gives them the confidence to continue to come forward with information.”

Ten men and women, aged between 19 and 39-years-old, were arrested in St Ann’s Terrace, Ladyport Green, Rockport Close, Woodland Street and Middleton Walk.

Suspected heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and heroin substitute pills were all discovered in the alleged drug dens, as well as drug paraphernalia and a knife.

  • Anyone with information on drugs activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact Cleveland Police via non-emergency number 101 or the confidential drugs hotline on 0800 0929 702.