Hundreds of police carry out drugs raids in Widnes and Merseyside

Raids have been carried out in Widnes and Merseyside today by police targeting people suspected of exploiting vulnerable people including school children to deal drugs.

Around 340 officers from Merseyside and Cheshire have searched dozens of properties as part of an investigation into the distrubution and selling of Class A drugs

It's believed drug dealers have been travelling across the region, forcing people to deal drugs. Known as County Lines, vulnerable people, including people living with addiction, disabilities and school children are coerced into selling drugs

So far officers have arrested 28 people on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. All are currently in custody helping police with their enquiries.

The strike also saw seven crack house closures being carried out in Widnes – a record for the force in one day.

Detective Superintendent Aaron Duggan, Head of Crime at Cheshire Police, said: “The action taken today, comes after months of hard work by a dedicated team of officers to gather evidence and intelligence in connection with a number of organised crime groups suspected of not only supplying drugs within the local community,but exploiting vulnerable people in order to do so.

“Our investigation has been distinctive as it centres on vulnerable adults and children who have been targeted to deliver and deal drugs."

"We have worked closely with partner agencies to safeguard these vulnerable people. In these cases, the victims will suffer greatly by taking all the risks and facing the consequences if caught and arrested, while the organised crime groups reap the rewards and believe they can avoid detection."

“We rely heavily on help from the community in identifying and investigating this type of crime and I want to urge residents in local communities to play their part and look out for their neighbours by knowing how to spot if someone is being coerced, exploited and taken advantage of, or their home is being used by people involved in selling illegal drugs"