CLASS A drugs and cash were seized and arrests made after 17 dwellings were raided in a police operation across three counties. At the time of The Comet going to press on Wednesday evening, 17 warrants had been issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act and 18

CLASS A drugs and cash were seized and arrests made after 17 dwellings were raided in a police operation across three counties.

At the time of The Comet going to press on Wednesday evening, 17 warrants had been issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act and 18 arrests made at addresses in Baldock, Letchworth GC and Hitchin, among others.

More than 137 Hertfordshire police officers, supported by colleagues from Bedfordshire and Cambridge, were involved in the simultaneous raids, made in an attempt to disrupt and disable crack supply markets.

The overt Operation Seer was triggered after months of intelligence and substantial evidence had been gathered using covert police tactics.

DCI Jerry Tattersall, who co-ordinated the operation, said: "The warrants are the culmination of months of hard work by officers.

"These arrests show the area's commitment to the crackdown on drug-related crime in the county.

"The warrants were carried out as a result of information gathered over a period of time and sends out a clear message to anyone suspected of being involved in Class A drugs supply and their associates that we will come and find you."

Geoff Camp, community inspector for Letchworth and Baldock, said: "The North Herts area is one of the safest in the country and the operation today is a step towards making it even safer.

"Much of the information we receive is from our communities and I would like to thank everyone who has contacted police over previous months.

"All of the information received from the public is followed up and we are treating each and every piece of information that comes in very seriously."

He added: "The local officers responsible for the areas where the warrants were, were there to speak to their local community."

John Campbell, chief executive of North Hertfordshire District Council, said: "Our recent district-wide survey of residents showed that they attach great importance to our strategic objective of creating safer communities.

"The council is very encouraged by the action of the police in arresting these individuals and positive action like this should reassure residents."

The 18 people arrested will remain in custody, pending further investigation.

If anyone has any information about where drug dealing is taking place or who is involved in Class A drug supply or use, contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 33 00 222. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence and you do not have to give your name. Alternatively ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can now also pass on information securely online. Visit www.herts.police.uk and follow the links on the Operation Crystal pages. Information can be passed anonymously and reports given this way are untraceable.