A CRIME crackdown in a North-East city is continuing to pay dividends for police, with 52 arrests in the first week.

During the first seven days of Operation Rolling Thunder, in the Sunderland West Area Command of Northumbria Police, officers have seized drugs with a street value of £10,000, as well as stolen property.

Since last weekend, 45 people have been arrested for a variety of offences, including 18 arrests for possession and supply of drugs.

Search warrants were executed at 19 premises, resulting in 17 arrests and a further two men have been charged with burglary.

Chief Inspector Steve Hopkirk, operations manager of Sunderland West, said: "During the next few weeks there will be no hiding place for thieves, drug dealers, disqualified drivers and others who flout the law and make other people's lives a misery.

"We will track criminals down and put them before the courts where appropriate."

To report a crime, call (01661) 868888.