AN ENTIRE village was sealed off on Wednesday as police thwarted a plot by dealers to invade County Durham with crack cocaine.

At dawn, officers formed a ring of blue steel around the tiny community of Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street.

Then at 6.30am, teams forced entry into a number of homes in the village and arrested several suspected heroin and crack dealers.

At the same time, other officers targeted addresses in Stanley, Sacriston, Ouston, Bournmoor and Chester-le-Street. The intelligence-led operation, code name Grenada, involved more than 250 Durham officers.

It is one of the biggest ever mounted by Durham Constabulary and follows more than a year of work by detectives.

Ann Blewitt, chairman of Grange Villa Residents' Association, who has long campaigned against drug dealers in the village, witnessed the raids. She said: "We saw a police car come through the village at about 6am, then a van, then another one.

"I realised something was up and my first feeling was that it was about time. I was pleased and relieved."

It is believed to be the first time an organised gang has tried to introduce crack cocaine to the county.

David Cliff of the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Abuse Action Team said: "Its appearance in Durham is worrying because crack is associated with particularly violent crime."

North Durham MP Kevan Jones said: "It shows that this rural constituency has urban problems.

"Crack is a concern, but with tough action I am sure we can stop it from spreading."

As part of the operation, Cleveland Police raided two properties in Stockton and Middlesbrough. Northumbria Police also targeted three addresses, in Beacon Lough, Hebburn and Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

A total of 20 addresses were hit and police arrested 17 men and two women, all in their 20s and 30s. Some were arrested for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, while others are suspected of a string of other offences including burglaries, thefts and handling stolen goods.

They were being questioned at Consett and Durham police stations, while forensic teams carried out detailed searches of the properties targeted in the raids.

Grange Villa has a history of problems with hard drugs and crime.

As soon as the raids finished, officers called on homes in the village, posting a leaflet explaining what had taken place.

Mr Jones said: "The decent residents of Grange Villa have had to put up for far too long with the corrosive effects of drug dealers in the village."

Police took action after a meeting with the residents' association and Mr Jones last year highlighted how drugs were blighting the community.

Miss Blewitt said: "We are hoping that this action by the police will help us to get Grange Villa back on track. This used to be a nice village and it can be again."

Chief Supt Derek Hall, north Durham area commander, said: "Local people have been impatient for action, but have remained remarkably tolerant."

"For our part, we were determined to solve their problems, rather than merely move them elsewhere.

"The type of behaviour that has plagued the lives of local residents will not be tolerated anywhere in this force area.

"Offenders should be warned, we will take all necessary steps to combat it, no matter how long it might take."

Addict support services are preparing for a huge rise in calls, as the raids stifle supplies of hard drugs.

An extra doctor will be on call at the Western Hill treatment centre in Albert Street, Durham, to prescribe methadone if necessary and a special emergency helpline has been set up to offer treatment to addicts in withdrawal.

The clinic will also be open this weekend to cope with the anticipated demand for services.

The helpline number is (0191) 383 0331.