Watch the moment SIX homes on just ONE Wolverhampton street were raided by drugs police

Six people, including a pensioner, were arrested in a series of dawn raids in Wolverhampton which saw eight homes raided as part of a blitz on suspected dealers.

Officers moved in on six homes in Chester Street, Whitmore Reans, at around 6.40am.

Two homes in nearby Manby Close and Park Down East were also targeted.

Four men - aged 24, 21, 19 and 71 – were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. A 20-year-old man was arrested for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and a woman, aged 49, was also arrested for possession of class A drugs. A knife was seized.

The raids came as part of Operation Eliminate, which has been set up to tackle organised crime and increase public safety.

Supt Keith Fraser said the raids followed concerns from residents.

"This has been on the back of concerns raised by the community over a number of months," he said.

"The concerns are in relation to open drug dealing, it's quite explicit and apparent in relation to where it is.

"There is the associated criminality as well as the drug dealing, the violence that's occurred with it, the vulnerable people that you will have coming into the street associated with the drug dealing as well, so there's a vulnerability aspect."

Supt Fraser, who said the dealing was linked with 'organised criminality' said officers have recovered 'evidence that we believe would support that investigation'.

A weapon was also seized, as searches continued through the morning.

Supt Fraser added that police said they had intellegence relating to violence, anti-social behaviour and people - including children - being offered drugs.

Ros Jervis, director of public health at Wolverhampton council which supported the operation, said residents had also complained about discarded needles, and anti-social behaviour.

She said: "We are supporting he police on a large scale operation. to try to reduce the harms that are being caused by drugs in this area of Wolverhampton.

"We would like to use this opportunity to talk to the local community here that have had ongoing concerns about drug misuse in this area for some time.

"We want to say to the local community that we have listened to their concerns and we are acting on those concerns.

"We have got environmental issues, individuals and families are worries and scared about activity going on in this local area.

"We also want to support those that have issues with substance misuse."