POLICE arrested 14 people and recovered heroin and cash in raids on four homes.

The arrests on Wednesday were among the highest number recorded by Cleveland Police in a single operation, and took place in Redcar, in east Cleveland.

Ten of the suspects were arrested for possession with intent to supply, and have been bailed pending a forensic examination of the drugs.

The remaining four, including one woman, were arrested for possessing a Class A drug and were in custody yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Graham Shaw, of Redcar CID, said the operation was one of the force's most successful to date. I don't think we have ever had such a high success rate," he said.

"We were aware from intelligence that there were quite a number of crimes being committed at the addresses, and we are going along those lines much more now."

Det Sgt Shaw said he hopes the raid, which is the first to take place as part of Cleveland Police's Operation Pinpoint, bodes well for the future.

"We recognise the effect that drugs has on crime and disorder and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour," he said.

"We will arrest and disrupt the drugs dealers at every opportunity."

He added: "This was a successful operation and other operations are planned."