BBC News Online: UK: England

Raids on 'crack' houses

A number of suspected "crack houses" were raided in an operation on Monday involving 200 officers in Hackney.

It was part of a six-month project to clean up the area which has received funding from the Home Office.

A quantity of class A drugs and stolen property, plus offensive weapons including two swords were recovered during the anti-drugs operation code-named Veron.

"We have made a significant number of arrests for street crime, burglary and drug dealing.

"We have also closed down three principal crack houses that were generating crime.

"We believe the operation will have a significant impact in reducing crime over the Christmas period and create a safer community for Hackney people."

Street crime

The operation began in the early hours when officers executed a number of warrants at various addresses in Lower Clapton.

Police arrested 22 people for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Search warrants were carried out at 13 premises and "failing to appear" arrest warrants were executed at five.

Thirty people were arrested for different offences including street crime, burglary and drugs offences.

They are all in custody at various east London police stations.

Another person was arrested for immigration offences. Illegal drinking and gambling premises were also targeted.