Nearly 30 people have been charged as a result of a series of police raids that happened over three days in a drive to keep drugs out of North Herts and crack down on thefts and burglaries in the area.

The dawn raids saw between 30-50 police officers target addresses in Hitchin, Letchworth GC, Baldock, Stevenage, Stotfold, Henlow and Cottered during the early hours of May 7, Tuesday, and yesterday (Wednesday).

The first two operations were addressing the supply of drugs and the third operation was devised to tackle thefts, shoplifting offences and burglaries cross the area.

In total, 28 people have now been charged with a variety of offences, while a further three people have been arrested but are yet to be charged.

During the raids imitation firearms and a taser gun were seized.

Detective Inspector Amanda Bell, from the North Herts Local Crime Unit, said: “Through these raids we are sending out a very clear and strong message that we will not tolerate people who think they can deal drugs or commit crime in North Herts.

“We are committed to targeting and disrupting people who are involved in drugs or other criminal activity and continue to urge members of the public to work with the police in their fight against crime and report any criminal or suspicious activity.

The people arressted and charged during the operation are as follows:

On May 7, those arrested and charged include:

• Steven Maxwell, 41, was arrested from his home address in Dacre Road, Hitchin. He was charged with five offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Royston Ford, 54, was arrested from his home address in Dacre Road, Hitchin. He was charged with six offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Roxroy Gentles, 36, from Ickneild Way, Letchworth GC, was arrested from Cain Court, Royston. He was charged with five offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Robert Salmon, 42, from Hitchin Road, Stotfold, was arrested from St Olives in Royston. He was charged with six offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Michael Reed, 29, was arrested from his home address in Throcking Road, Cottered. He was charged with three offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and three offences of Shoplifting and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Vincent Haughey, 51, of no fixed abode was arrested from Kyrkeby, Letchworth GC. He was charged with two offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Natalie Anderson, 37, was arrested from her home address in London Road, Baldock. She was charged with one offence of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and was released on bail. She is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 2.

• Craig McKeown, 25, was arrested from his home address in Campers Road, Letchworth. He was charged with 12 offences of Conspiracy to Supply • Class A drugs and possession of a firearm. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Claire Gutteridge, 28, was arrested from her home address in Campers Road, Letchworth GC. She was charged with nine offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. She was bailed and is due to appear at St Albans Magistrates on May 27.

• Joshua Burrows, 19, from Mattocke Road, Hitchin, was arrested at Hitchin police station. He was charged with 13 offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court today (Thursday).

• Jack Baverstock, 20, of no fixed abode was arrested in Hitchin police station. He was charged with four offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs. He is due to appear at St Albans Magistrates on May 29.

• A 21-year-old man from Henlow was arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. He was released on bail and is due to return to Hatfield police station in June.

• A 27-year-old man from Letchworth GC was arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. He was released on bail and is due to return to Hatfield police station in June.

On Tuesday those arrested and charged include:

• 28-year old Christopher Collins from Bradley’s Corner was arrested from Coopers Yard, Hitchin. He was charged with two offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A, three offences of Class B drugs and money laundering. He was remanded into custody at Hatfield Remand Court yesterday (Wednesday) and is due to appear before Cambridge Crown Court on May 21.

• 25-year-old Hollie Moss from Paynes Park, Hitchin, was arrested from Coopers Yard, Hitchin. She was charged with money laundering. She has been released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 24-year-old Peldeep Uppal was arrested from his home address in Gainsford Crescent Hitchin. He was charged with one offences of Conspiracy to Supplying Class B drugs. He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 42-year-old Pamela Keane from Paynes Park, Hitchin, was arrested from Coopers Yard, Hitchin. She was charged with one offence of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs. She has been released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 26-year-old Gavin Stevens from Truemans Road, Hitchin, was arrested at Stevenage Police Station. He was charged with one offence of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs. He released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 28-year-old Alan Shepherd from Hyde Avenue in Stotfold was arrested at Vaughn Road, Stotfold. He was changed with one offence of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs. He released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 27-year-old Adam Pike from Wilbury Way, Hitchin, was charged with two offences of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs, one offence of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs. He is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 25-year-old Jason Harperstott from Bradleys Corner, Hitchin, was changed with Conspiracy to Supply Cannabis. He is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

• 25-year-old Amadur Rahman, from Jessop Road, Stevenage, was charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. He is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates on June 9.

Yesterday (Wednesday), those arrested were:

Three people are in custody having been arrested for conspiracy related offences linked to burglary and handling and remain in custody.

The three arressted are:

• A 35-year-old man from Stotfold

• A 29-year-old woman from Stotfold

• A 29-year-old man from Letchworth GC

• Also a wanted man, Peter Sandford, surrendered himself to police yesterday (Wednesday) as part of Tuesday’s operation. He has been bailed until June 9.

Mr Sandford has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug namely cannabis and unlawful possession of property.