Eight men have been arrested by police on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs during a series of targeted raids across Accrington.

It comes after a six-month intelligence operation involving more than 70 police officers and staff into suspected drug trafficking and violent assaults across Accrington.

Officers seized cash, financial and travel documents, mobile phones and vehicles in Tuesday's early morning raids.

Police bosses said the operation was part of an ongoing commitment to get drugs off the streets.

Divisional Commander Ch Supt Bob Eastwood said: “They have been causing quite a lot of misery and some of that has been around the trafficking of controlled substances.

“Some of them are part of a wider group that have been in dispute with other people. I was always convinced this was due to the trafficking of drugs between different people.

“This action has now put a stop to that. These people are not above the law and we've sent out a very clear message.

“I hope today's operation makes a lot of people engaged in this sort of thing very, very nervous.”

Officers swooped on seven addresses in Tremellen Street, Lodge Street, Steiner Street, Bradshaw Street West, Waterside Apartments at St James’ Court and Nuttall Street during the early morning raids.

Warrants were executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act and all eight men are currently being questioned by officers.

Following the raids police officers and PCSOs conducted patrols in the areas to reassure local residents.

Ch Supt Eastwood said the action came following concerns raised by local residents and councillors and hopes it will help boost community safety.

He said: “Residents nearby will be absolutely delighted. I wouldn't want this on my doorstep, I wouldn't want this in my neighbourhood and I wouldn't want my children to experience this.

“Local people have thought these people were above the reaches of the law. I do know that they think they run the streets in Accrington.

“They aren't frightened by the police and they will quite happily run out into the streets, smash a car up in full view of lots of different people and not care for one minute about the consequences.”

The raids took place on Tuesday, October 8 and the eight men arrested included a 32-year-old man and a 27-year-old from Tremellen Street, a 25-year-old man from Lodge Street, a 28-year-old man from Steiner Street, a 21-year-old man from Bradshaw Street West, a 22-year-old man from Westwood Street, a 22-year-old man from Nuttall Street and a 21-year-old man at HMP Forest Bank.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity in their community should contact the police on 101.