BLACKPOOL has received a massive cash injection to fund a further crackdown on drugs and street crime.

The Home Office has announced an extra £195,000 is on the way under the Communities Against Drugs funding.

The money will support Blackpool Community Safety Partnership's ongoing work to disrupt illicit drugs markets in the town and will increase the level of treatment and support for offenders through initiatives such as the Tower Project.

The vast majority of street crime offenders are dependent on drugs and the additional funding will also tackle the stolen goods market that funds drug habits, effectively combating the rise in street crime.

Blackpool Borough Council leader Roy Fisher said: "As a member of the Blackpool Community Safety Partnership, we welcome this additional funding, which will help us to continue to tackle drug abuse and treatment issues locally.

"Consultation with Blackpool residents late last year highlighted substance misuse/drugs as an issue of concern for our communities.

"As a result, the Partnership made this issue one of its key priorities for community safety in Blackpool in its three-year plan for 2002-2005.

"Blackpool Borough Council will continue to work hard within the Partnership to reduce drug abuse in Blackpool, with the aim of reducing street crime.

"This extra money is very welcome and will certainly add to our ability to tackle street crime effectively, making Blackpool a safer place for us all."

The cash announcement follows recent swoops on drug dealers in the town in a series of co-ordinated dawn raids by Lancashire Constabulary.

Officers from the Constabulary's six divisions and Headquarters took part in the operation in support of the Safer Streets in Lancashire campaign by targeting drug dealing activity in the town.

Warrants were executed at 20 addresses and 17 individuals were arrested. Fourteen of them were charged with supplying Class A drugs and remanded in custody. They will appear before Blackpool Magistrates tomorrow (July 5).