SYNCHRONISED police raids took place across Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley today with several arrests and seizures.

A house in Wain Court off Livingstone Road was searched after officers smashed down the door and executed a warrant on the back of intelligence about heroin and crack cocaine dealing from the address.

However, nothing was found.

Further raids resulted in a man being arrested on suspicion of theft.

Mark McAllister, 30, of Cardwell Place, Blackburn, will appear before magistrates on May 3 charged with theft.

A further two men were arrested on suspicion of theft offences after officers raided several other addresses.

Officers seized two car stereos and a small amount of suspected mephedrone.

A number of vehicles were also stopped and checked on the A59 as part of the operation.

Officers also checked more than 300 vehicles and spoke to a number of motorists after three cars were found with property on display and one had been left unlocked.

The high profile operation was aimed at reducing serious and acquisitive crime such as drugs, burglary, vehicle crime and theft and reassuring residents.

Superintendent Jon Puttock said: “Levels of serious acquisitive crime which includes burglary and theft are currently at a 12 month low and today’s operation was about continuing our daily business in order to maintain these figures.

“The reductions in crime are undoubtedly assisted by the continued support we get from local communities and this operation should help to make people aware that we will act on information they provide.

“This is not a short term fix but is part of our long term effort to further reduce crime and we will continue to work with our communities and other organisations to make the communities of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley even safer.”

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