ARMED police officers sealed off a town centre street in a swoop on a suspected drugs network.

Seven people were arrested as about 40 police officers raided addresses in Middlesbrough yesterday.

Officers sealed off Union Street and also went to Regent Road in the Beechwood area of the town, where they recovered a knife and clothing covered in blood stains.

Operation Roulette was in response to an alleged shooting incident in Aubrey Street on Wednesday - revealed by police for the first time yesterday - which resulted in 30-year-old David Hagan undergoing surgery for a gun shot wound to his leg.

Yesterday, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a house in Union Street on suspicion of firearms and assault offences in connection with the shooting.

A further four men and two women were arrested at the same address, for a combination of suspected drugs supply and firearms offences.

One of the women, a suspected illegal immigrant, was being questioned by immigration officials last night.

The men and the other arrested woman are being held at Middlesbrough police station, where they are being questioned.

Detailed searches for evidence of the shooting and illegally held weapons were carried out at a number of undisclosed addresses in Middlesbrough yesterday.

In the swoop on Union Street, a search for drugs was also made.

Middlesbrough CID head, Detective Superintendent Adrian Roberts, who co-ordinated the police action, said: "We will not tolerate firearms on the streets of Middlesbrough and this response shows our resolve to tackle those who consider themselves above the law.

"Doubtless, we will find this is linked to drugs activity and we will continue in our efforts to shut down dealers and their houses."

Earlier this year, police raided a number of addresses including a house in Walpole Street, which runs off Union Street, and seized 250 rocks of crack cocaine with a street value of £6,000. Twenty people were arrested and charged and have appeared in court.

* A 28-year-old man was arrested at a house in Regent Road. He appeared before Teesside magistrates late yesterday charged with possession of an offensive weapon.