POLICE have netted thousands of pounds worth of drugs and made several arrests in Ferryhill over the last few months.

Officers have staged eight major operations in the town during the last six months, tackling people involved with class A drugs and their supply.

Det Chief Insp Colin Pearson of Sedgefield police said Ferryhill had been specifically targeted as a result of information received.

"Out of those eight operations, we've taken out 15 dealers and we've recovered drugs with a street value of over £55,000," he said.

"We believe that operations of this type directly affect the quality of life of the people who live in Ferryhill and Dean Bank.

"We have had very positive feedback from the community that we serve in that area. A number of people at residents and community meetings have said it's a better place to live."

DCI Pearson stressed that the work is not yet finished: "There are ongoing operations as we speak and there will be further operations in the future.

"This has been a major success, but there's no way we're being complacent."

It is hoped that the success of the operations will have a knock-on effect for other crime.

The Sedgefield Burglary Action Group believes that many of the burglaries in the borough are committed to finance drug habits.