THREE suspected Class A drug dealers have been arrested in Darwen after police swooped on addresses in the town.

The raids, which began at 7am yesterday, were co-ordinated by police investigating drug dealers from Merseyside who have been operating in Darwen.

In an operation involving more than 100 officers, three homes were raided in the St James estate and Wood Street areas, as well as eight in Croxteth and Norris Green in Merseyside.

The three Darwen men were being questioned by police while another three from Merseyside were also arrested on suspicion of Class A drugs offences.

Det Insp Graham Herrmann, of Lancashire's major crime unit, said: "This is part of an inter-force intelligence-led operation aimed at travelling criminals from Merseyside committing crime and dealing drugs in other towns in the north west.

"The success is thanks to a great deal of support from the local community and many of our partner organisations.

"The operation follows months of evidence gathering on alleged drug dealing and during the course of the operation controlled substances have been recovered.

"We continue to work hard to forge strong links with the local community and welcome the information passed to us from concerned residents. The majority of people who live in the areas targeted are decent people who tell us time and again they do not welcome the disruptive criminal minority.

"We have spent a long time building up a picture of activity in the area. Mounting raids can be very disruptive and we are very grateful to local residents for their tolerance and support."

The raids were part of Operation Nimrod, a Lancashire Constabulary initiative designed to reduce drug dealing and involved detectives, support unit officers and dog patrols.