ANOTHER two crack dens have been closed down as police continue to target dealers in communities.

The latest properties in Zetland Road and Londonderry Road, both Stockton, were boarded up after officers acted on information from terrified residents.

Scores of officers in vans swept into the streets in the latest attempt to disrupt the flow of drugs coming into the town.

Sergeant Andy Richmond, of Cleveland Police, said: "The information has come from a variety of sources following a ground-swell of people saying they are fed up with drugs causing problems in their communities.

"We rely on the public to give us the details of drug activities in their area and then we can act. This clampdown on crack houses will continue until the streets are rid of this problem."

The occupants of both properties had already been subject to police investigations before magistrates granted the closure order giving residents three months of respite.

One Londonderry Street resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I was at the end of my tether.

"I was not sure how much more of the disturbance I could take. I am so relieved that these people have been moved out.

"Hopefully, we will be able to get our lives back now. The police have certainly put my mind at ease."

A resident of Zetland Road said: "We have had to live with this for months and it was causing endless problems in the street.

"There were people coming and going at all hours - no one felt safe, even in their own homes.

"I hope that this will put an end to our misery and we can get on with living again."

Sgt Richmond said: "We will continue to target those responsible for bringing misery into people's lives.

"We will continue to act on information and make life difficult for the dealers and users."