POLICE arrested six people and seized class A and class B controlled drugs in their first raids in Hyndburn as part of the Safer Streets in Lancashire initiative.

Officers swooped on an address in Belfield Road, Accrington, at 1.25pm yesterday where they seized what is believed to be ecstasy, amphetamine paste and cannabis resin. They followed up last night with a raid on a house in Church.

The execution of the search warrant was the first of its kind in the borough and the third so far in East Lancashire as part of a division-wide crackdown primarily targeting heroin and crack cocaine.

The Safer Streets in Lancashire initiative -- prompted by the Government's drive to reduce street crime in ten forces in the country -- takes in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and will mean a raid a day on dealers in East Lancashire.

Drugs dealers are being targeted as police said there was a clear link between drug misuse and certain types of offences, particularly street crimes.

Eastern Division officers, including detectives, area beat officers, support unit officers, armed response and the road policing unit, will all be involved.

Two women and four men are being questioned after being arrested in Belfield Road on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

Detective Inspector Peter Broome said: "We have recovered a quantity of what we believe to be cannabis resin and amphetamine sulphate.

"Six people have been arrested as a result of this warrant and will be questioned.

"This has been a successful search warrant. When we receive intelligence with regard to drug markets it will be actioned in 100 per cent of cases.

"I urge anybody with information as to the sale of class A controlled drugs to contact police."

Anyone with information should call Accrington police on 01254 382141 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.