11 arrests in dawn drugs swoop

Eighty five police officers from across Sussex were used in the raids on four addresses where heroin and crack cocaine were believed to be regularly used and sold.

Police siezed quantities of class A drugs in the raids. A woman has since been charged with two counts of supplying drugs, a man charged over bail offences and eight people released pending further enquiries. One man was released with no action taken.

Chief Inspector Ken Taylor said: "This was a very successful operation and we made more arrests than expected."

Officers simultaneously stormed homes in Priory Road, Cornwallis Terrace and Wellington Square at 7am as part of Operation Vertigo. One by one they pulled out men and women suspected of peddling and using hard drugs. A police helicopter was used to make sure none of the targets escaped on foot.

Jubilant residents congratulated police officers on their work with comments such as, "Thank God they have finally been stopped," and, "Now we will be able to get some sleep."

Two women and one man were arrested on Cornwallis Terrace. A further eight men and women were arrested from two flats in Wellington Square. No one was in at the Priory Road address raided.

A pensioner living on the Cornwallis Terrace, who did not wish to be named, was delighted to see the back of them.

He said: "I've seen people dealing drugs outside my front door. They've been laughing and joking saying they would never get caught. It was getting out of control.

"They have been targeting school children which is disgusting.

"I have got seven grandchildren and it worries me sick."

Detective Inspector Tim Nunn, the man behind the Operation Vertigo, said work will continue to track down and arrest those not caught on Wednesday.

He said: "We are pleased with the outcome of the warrants. Clearly there are a number of ongoing investigations which will continue in the next few weeks."

Cllr Godfrey Daniel, Hastings Council's cabinet member for community safety, attended the raids.

He told the Observer: "This is very good public reassurance to make people aware that something is being done."

p Police siezed 700 pills of what was thought to be ecstasy, as well as a quantity of suspected cocaine and firearms ammunition in an unrelated raid on a St Leonards property on Sunday.

Two people were arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.