Three properties on the same street have been targeted in a crackdown on crime in a North East town this morning.

Cleveland Police are carrying out warrants in Hartlepool as part of Operation Sycamore.

Operation Sycamore is an ongoing crackdown drugs, drug activity and antisocial behaviour in the town, which was launched in September.

The Northern Echo: Police have been carrying our raids at addresses in Hartlepool this morning

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Three houses in Baden Street, Hartlepool, all believed to be connected to one suspected drugs gang, were raided at 10am.

Inspector Adrian Dack, of Cleveland Police, said residents’ concern about activity at the addresses resulted in the raids.

Officers believe that vulnerable people may have been ‘cuckooed’ and forced to store drugs.

Two men aged 45 and 43 arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

One man aged 22 and a woman aged 31 both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

A 31-year-old man and two women aged 26 and 35 were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Class A drugs believed to be heroin and crack cocaine, a large quantity of cash, two cars and a knuckle duster were seized by officers.