POLICE officers smashed their way into homes during a series of dramatic dawn raids across south Worcestershire.

Officers made six arrests as they executed three warrants in Warndon, Worcester, at 8am on Wednesday, using a chainsaw to hack their way into one of the houses and smashing their way into the other two using the enforcer, a metal battering ram.

Officers also carried out a warrant in Malvern the same morning, raiding a property on the outskirts of the town at 7.25am.

And on Tuesday morning police officers raided two houses in Pinvin, near Pershore, seizing drugs worth £15,000 and growing equipment.

The raids in Worcester were part of a police crackdown on car key burglaries.

Detectives from West Mercia Police also travelled to Liverpool to arrest other suspects wanted in connection with car key burglaries in Worcester as they widen their search for criminals preying on city homes.

In total 20 officers were involved in the three raids in Warndon.

Two raids were at addresses in Chedworth Drive and one in Leckhampton Close.

Four people are in custody in connection with a number of car key burglaries in south Worcestershire as a result of the raids.

One suspect was also arrested for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and one for breach of a court order.

Car key burglaries involve criminals targeting homes to find keys, before driving off in the victim's car.

DI Stu Murphy, of Priority CID at West Mercia Police, said: "Burglary is an iconic crime and effects the lives of the victims, I would ask our communities to report any suspicious activity and make sure you review the security of your home."

Supt Kevin Purcell, policing commander in south Worcestershire, said: "These arrests highlight our on going focus around burglary.

"We will relentlessly pursue those involved in burglary, and if you continue, expect my officers to bring those involved to justice."

Officers who raided the homes in Pinvin found cannabis worth £15,000 and plant-growing equipment, and three people were arrested.

And during the raid in Malvern yesterday morning, police seized a quantity of suspected cannabis.

Malvern police officers uploaded two pictures to Twitter showing a substance that their drugs dog had found.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: “The policing team for Malvern are proactive in working to remove illegal substances from our streets.

“We'd encourage anyone who has information about the use or sale of illegal drugs to work with us by reporting it to us."

No arrests were made in the raid and enquiries are ongoing.