POLICE today hailed a series of dawn drugs raids in Burnley a success after making a number of arrests and recovering narcotics.

Under "Operation Freeze" eight people were arrested yesterday -- with police warning there are more raids to come.

Following dramatic dawn swoops five people were arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance, two on suspicion of money laundering after a large amount of cash was seized and one on suspicion of car crime.

By this morning, three men had received cautions for drug possession, one man was released on bail and inquiries were continuing at a house where stolen property was recovered.

The high-profile operation was carried out in response to community concerns on the levels of drug dealing taking place in Burnley and Padiham.

Targeting street dealers, it aimed to reassure residents that police are acting on their calls.

Insp Andy Moore, of Burnley Police, said: "It's been, from the police and community's point of view, a very successful day.

"Drugs is a concern for the community. We are intelligence led to the targeted individuals who we know are dealing with drugs. The message to them is very clear -- your behaviour is not acceptable and we will target you and process you and take you to prison."

Drugs were recovered during a raid in Parkinson Street and three men were arrested on suspicion of possession of heroin.

Other raids took place at Scott's Terrace. Aaron Street and Cambridge Street, Padiham. Coun Charlie Bullas, vice-chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, also accompanied officers on the raids and was delighted by the operation's success.

He said: "I was pleased to be invited along. I was very impressed with the professional way the police conducted themselves.

"I will be taking back to the Community Safety Partnership what has happened and gaining their confidence for more of this to happen so we will be able to continue this operation and make it safer in this town and make the quality of life better.

"We need to clean the streets up of the people dealing drugs that we just don't want in Burnley. The thing is we have the will and the way to crack this drug problem."

Insp Moore said the information on drug dealing that had led to the raids had been channelled through meetings and surgeries with the public to community beat managers and support officers.

He added: "The public feel confident telling us this information and knowing we will act on it. Community safety is paramount to the people of Burnley and Padiham and we will endeavour to achieve this.

"We intend to hold some more operations. It's an ongoing project."