TWELVE people were arrested and thousands of pounds worth of drugs seized in a series of early morning raids carried out across Stourport.

The drugs - mainly heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of £2,500 - were recovered during an operation codenamed Midas on Tuesday.

Stolen property and a quantity of cash were also seized by officers.

The 10 men and two women were arrested in connection with more than 70 drug offences. The arrests were the culmination of three months work during which police gathered information before swooping. They warned more arrests would follow.

More than 50 officers from local policing units, CID and including specialist dog handlers, were involved in the operation.

Chief Insp Dave Jones, of Wyre Forest police, said: "This operation targeted Class A drugs in our communities.

"Drugs are a big problem across parts of Wyre Forest and their effects are felt by every resident of the district, in terms of associated crime committed by drug users to fund their habit.

"The overall aim is the disruption to the supply of drugs in and around the Wyre Forest area."

He added: "This was not a one-off and we will continue to take positive action against drug dealers."

Acting Insp Amanda Bott said: "A small, relatively rural town like Stourport is not, normally, associated with drugs. However, the operation demonstrates that it is not just inner cities which have a drug problem.

"Stourport is a thriving tourist area and we hope the operation will reassure not only the residents but also the many visitors that the menace of drugs is being tackled."

The people arrested were taken into custody in police stations across North Worcestershire.

Police community support officers followed up the raids by distributing leaflets giving a brief explanation of the operation and attempting to reassure residents. The leaflets also gave contact phone numbers for helplines.

Chief Insp Jones said: "In the longer term, we will be looking to work with our partners, including the probation service and drugs intervention agencies, to tackle the whole picture surrounding drug-related crime, from environmental issues to the rehabilitation of offenders."

He went on: "The police are determined to improve the quality of life for the local community and create neighbourhoods that are safe and feel safe."