AN assistant chief constable brought a new meaning to the phrase front-line policing when he was among the first officers to burst through the door of a suspected drugs den.

Adam Briggs, of Cleveland Police, was one of the leading officers who entered the house on the Grove Hill estate, in Middlesbrough, early yesterday.

During the raid three people were arrested on suspicion of dealing in controlled drugs as part of Operation Sabre.

Speaking afterwards Mr Briggs, 43, said: "Our message to people is, 'If you are involved in peddling this filth, the police are on your case'.

"The people we are tackling on this operation are at the heart of problems in this community.

"I don't think we can ever eradicate it, but I think what we can do is make a real impact on it. That is what we are doing with Operation Sabre. It is the biggest crackdown on drugs, the force has ever undertaken.''

To date, the operation which will have involved 500 officers before it is completed, has been a total success.

About 65 police officers and community support officers took part in yesterday's raids at five addresses.

The operation is focused on suspected heroin and crack cocaine dealers and follows months of intelligence and surveillance work.

Eight alleged drug dealers, also in the Grove Hill area, were targeted in the opening phase of the two-week operation on Monday. All were arrested.

Yesterday, police targeted a further six suspected dealers, who were all arrested, along with two other people for drug related offences.

Mr Briggs said: "We are determined to hammer home the message that drugs and drug dealers are not wanted here. We know who these people are and we are determined to arrest them and put them out of business.''

He said drug dealers lived on the misery of others and brought heartache and trouble to communities.

A spokesman for the Police Federation said: "It is to the credit of chief officers when they actually demonstrate a commitment to the policing on the ground.'