Drug dealers and known criminals targeted in Burnley police blitz

8:30am Wednesday 8th July 2009

By Chris Hopper

FOUR people were arrested in a massive “day of action” launched by police across Burnley and Padiham.

Around 70 police, council and Government officers swooped on streets in the two towns yesterday as part of a drive to put criminals “on the back foot” and reassure residents.

Officers from the DVLA also towed away 18 vehicles which had out-of-date or invalid tax discs.

Police chiefs said the ‘community day of action’ would be the first of many and warned criminals to clean up their act.

And the initiative was backed by Burnley and Padiham’s MP, council bosses and a victim’s charity.

Yesterday’s operation began when dozens of officers stormed into Ribblesdale Street and Heath Street in the Bank Hall area of Burnley as shocked residents watched on.

After smashing down the doors of two properties in Ribblesdale Street and a third in Heath Street, they recovered quantities of heroin and cannabis. Three people were arrested and were last night being quizzed by police.

Insp Karen Edwards, who led the operation, said: “I am really pleased with how the day went.

“Residents came out and they were thanking us. They are pleased that they are seeing action being done.

“They are concerned about drugs on their doorstep but our officers have been out reassuring them that crime is low and we are keeping it low.

Mrs Edwards said police plan to carry out similar action days on random dates every three to four weeks.

She added: “I hope this will increase the public’s confidence in Burnley police and put offenders on the back foot.”

Police said the operation had not resulted in additional cost as it had been accounted for in their budget.

Afterwards, residents in the area said the initiative was a positive move by police chiefs.

One woman, 70, who had tipped off officers about alleged drug dealing at one of the properties, said: “It is about time because it has been going on for a while round here.

Another woman in Ribblesdale Street, aged 49, added: “I am shocked by all the police presence because I did not know about the drugs down here.

“It shows police are doing something, although it was a shock to hear them smashing the doors in.”

Last night, police were continuing to visit the homes of known criminals and stop vehicles across Burnley borough.

Anti-social behaviour patrols were also due to be set up in the Brunshaw, Lanehead, Trinity, Bank Hall and town centre areas.

And Burnley Council officers were set to continue clean-ups of Rowley Lane, Leyland Road and Albert Street.