DRUG dealers are moving in to Middlesbrough and setting up crack houses in a matter of hours, police warned yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Templeman, of the Middlesbrough Police drugs unit, said it was possible for people to travel to the town and be in business "incredibly quickly".

In the past three days, police have arrested 18 people from outside the area, following raids on suspected crack houses in Union Street.

Eight premises were searched after tip-offs from the public and 100 rocks of crack cocaine were seized, between Wednesday and Friday. Heroin, amphetamines, stolen property and £2,000 were also recovered.

Det Sgt Templeman urged the public to look out for unusual activity in houses and to keep coming forward with information.

"Our aim is to disrupt the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in the area and the public can play a key role in that," he said.

"We will act on any information we receive.

"We need the public to be vigilant, and if they notice a lot of activity at a house call us.

"The information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

"In this latest operation, the main people underpinning the deal were from outside the area, but police are well aware that once their cover is blown, they can quickly replenish their stocks and set up elsewhere."

Of those arrested, one was released without charge and the others were charged with drugs and handling offences.

Anyone with information about drugs should call Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.