SIXTY people have been arrested during a week-long operation aimed at disrupting serious and organised crime in East Lancashire.

The arrests were made after a series of co-ordinated police raids across Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Since the start of the campaign, police have executed drugs warrants at 13 properties across the division and made 26 drug related arrests.

An additional 34 people have been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence offences.

Recovered during the week-long campaign were large quantities of cannabis, heroin and cocaine, a knife and 18 mobile phones from suspected drug dealers.

As part of the operation on Friday, police in Accrington executed a theft warrant at a home in St James Road and recovered what was believed to be £22,000 of stolen clothes.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods.

Both have been bailed until Friday 25 May pending further inquiries.

This comes as part of a major force-wide operation called Protecting People'.

Superintendent Tim Jacques said: "These arrests were part of a much wider operation across Lancashire into serious and organised crime, showing our commitment to protecting our local communities.

"This operation should act as a warning to anyone involved in crime that we will take firm action against you and endeavour to bring you to justice."

Police said Protecting People' was made possible through the extra resources the constabulary received through the increase in this year's council tax.