FIVE people have been arrested in a series of co-ordinated drugs raids in the same street.

Officers raided three houses in the village of Catchgate, near Stanley, this morning.

Warrants were executed at three privately-rented semi-detached houses in Harperley Gardens and police arrested three men and two women, all aged between 35 and 48 years old, for drugs-related offences. One of those arrested, a 38-year-old man, is also being questioned in connection with an offences of theft.

During the operation, officers seized almost £1,300 in cash and a quantity of cannabis.

Sergeant Mike McGowan, of Durham Police, said: "I would like to thank the community for their support in providing information for us to act on.

"We are sending a clear message to people who don't uphold the law and are dealing drugs that we will be knocking on your door."