SEVEN homes were raided and seven people arrested today as part of a major crackdown on street drug crime.

Around 50 police officers from incident support units across Lancashire were drafted into Nelson to target addresses in Norse Street, Holly Street, Princess Street, Dalton Street, Cobden Street and Hartington Stree.

The raids were in connection with suspected drug-dealing activities.

Police burst into the houses and executed a number of search warrants at around 7.30am today.

They planned to continue searching addresses in the area throughout the day as part of the Operation Flourish activities.

Property seized included substances believed to be crack cocaine and heroin. They will be sent for forensic testing.

Operation Flourish is a crackdown on drug-dealing and drug-related activities in Brierfield and Nelson and is part of Lancashire's Safer Streets Initiative.

PS Steve Hindle said: "The raids were in connection with offences of supplying class A drugs and were in response to what people are telling us on CrimeStoppers.

"It is an on-going operation and we want to appeal to people in the area that if there is a problem with drugs-related activities to contact us.

"Leaflets will be posted through the doors of houses nearby to explain what has been happening and how they can contact us.

"Officers will also be reassuring neighbours about what we were doing.

"Those we are targeting include a wide range of people thought to be involved in street-level dealing whether in the home or actually on the street."

Superintendent Steve Hartley said: "A number of people are dealing in class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine and are causing problems within the community.

"We have already had a response that the community are more reassured now that police are taking action against drug dealers.

"This is another piece of police action to make dealers realise we are in charge and not them.

"This is not the end it is just the start.

"We will be carrying out further operations of a similar nature until the people of Brierfield and Nelson realise we will not tolerate drug activity."

The seven people arrested were being questioned today.