James Connell DANGEROUS dogs were seized and four men arrested during raids by police in Worcester today.

Officers stormed two properties in Cranham Drive, one in Tolladine Road and one in Swaledale Court all at around 8.45am.

From one of the properties in Cranham Drive, three adult pit bull-type dogs were seized under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

A dog was also seized under the same legislation from Tolladine Road while two dogs and nine four-week-old puppies were seized in Swaledale Court. All the dogs will be examined to see if they breach the criteria laid down in the act and could eventually be destroyed.

Specialist officers from West Midlands Police, who are trained in handling and identifying illegal dogs, assisted 30 officers from West Mercia Police.

Quantities of what is believed to be cannabis were found at all four properties and a BB gun was found at Swaledale Court.

Four men were arrested, all for drug-related offences, with two of the men (from Cranham Drive and Swaledale Court) also arrested for possession of dog breeds specified as illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Acting Sergeant Paul Green of the Warndon area local policing team, said: “We have taken this action in response to recent incidents of general criminality and anti-social behaviour in Warndon especially around Cranham Drive shops.

“Owning aggressive, pit bull-type dogs is tied in closely with this sort of anti-social behaviour as well as drug-related crime. We executed these warrants after receiving local intelligence that these illegal dogs were being kept at these addresses.

“We need to get these dangerous animals out of our community, so if you are aware of any others being kept near you, please get in touch and tell us what you know.”