A CRACKDOWN on drug dealers in Darlington has led to three arrests.

The suspects were arrested as operations against the sale of hard drugs in the town were stepped up.

Officers say they are aware of the worst-affected areas and will be targeting those responsible in the near future.

Officers seized Class A drugs with a street value of between £3,000 and £4,000 on Thursday.

The three men arrested were released on police bail and could face charges once forensic tests have been completed.

Detectives yesterday hailed the operation as another breakthrough in the war on drug dealers in the town.

They are keen to make sure that dealers forced out of Cleveland by the local force's Dealer a Day campaign do not move across the County Durham border. A Darlington police spokesman said: "We know that people are dealing from various areas in the town - the town centre, the Clifton Road area and the Neasham Road area.

"We want to reassure the public that we are aware of this and are doing all we can to stop it. It is a high priority for us. It has to be intelligence-led and there has to be a lot of information gathering."

Cleveland Police's high-profile initiative has led to hundreds of dealers being taken off the streets.

But police say Teesside's criminals will not find a hiding place in Darlington.

Five people were arrested in Darlington last month on suspicion of offences relating to the supply and possession of Class A drugs.