POLICE have seized drugs and stolen property during a series of raids in Ribbleton.

The operations by Preston police on the Poets estate netted a haul of class B and C drugs.

The raids were part of scheme to clean up the area, after complaints about drug dealers and juvenile nuisance from residents.

It is the latest operation by Preston police to stamp down on the city's drug dealers, after raids in Avenham and Deepdale last year.

Inspector Karen Simister, of Fulwood police, said: "The area has got into such a state that people don't want to live there. They would rather move out. It's so rundown."

The Poets estate is a small area surrounded by Miller Road, Acregate Lane, Ribbleton Lane and Blackpool Road. During the raids the police's heavily protected Support Unit seized drugs including cannabis.

Now, following the raids, officers will be carrying out high visibility patrols, and Millennium volunteers have been putting advice leaflets through doors.

Councillors have joined police on the streets to see what improvements can be made to cut crime, with plans to add extra street lighting.

Insp Simister said: "It's an area where we have had quite a few problems with juvenile nuisance. We've had complaints from people asking what we are doing about it.

"We have also been doing a leaflet drop."