NINE people have been charged with a string of drug related offences following early morning raids by police, on Tuesday, at 12 address across Preston.

A second series of raids took place on Thursday in the city as part of the police's on-going Operation Nimrod.

A search of the properties targeted in Preston, on Tuesday, uncovered cannabis, quantities of cash, stolen property, drugs paraphernalia and credit cards.

Now officers have praised the local community who, they say, provided them with detailed information on suspected drug dealers at local Police and Community Together (PACT) meetings.

Head of Preston drugs squad, Detective Inspector Andy Murphy, said: "It is results such as these that give us all a lift because we know that we are being helped so much by the communities of Preston.

"Since the day the team began we have continued to receive good quality information from the local people who are concerned that they may have drug dealing taking place on the street.

"Through PACT we are enabling local people to re-take control of their communities. We are acting upon each and every piece of that information that we receive and often this complements our own police-led intelligence.

"What is most pleasing about these arrests is that local people can see their contribution is worthwhile."

Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, Paul Stephenson, and Preston's divisionsional commander, Russ Weaver, attended the raids along with various community representatives.

Chief Superintendent Weaver said: "Since Operation Nimrod began, over two years ago, more than 250 homes in Preston have been raided and over £500,000 worth of drugs recovered.

"Along with seizing thousands of pounds of these dealers' assets over 100 drug dealers from this city have been removed from our communities and imprisoned.

"Drug dealers are not welcomed in this city, they will not be tolerated."