DRUG dealers in Selby received a rude awakening as police mounted a series of early-morning raids across the town.

Four men and three women were arrested after four search warrants were carried out in the Flaxley Road area.

Quantities of what is believed to be heroin and cocaine were found at two addresses, with a substantial sum of cash found at a third.

Inspector Dave Pegg, who heads Selby East's neighbourhood policing and response teams, hailed the action, codenamed Operation Bergen, a success.

He said yesterday's raids came on the back of an eight-month investigation triggered by concerns aired by residents at joint action group (JAG) meetings.

The meetings - dubbed Cop Idol - give residents a chance to tell police and other agencies the problems facing their communities. They then vote on the two issues they want the force to prioritise.

Insp Pegg said: "Several months ago, at a joint action group meeting in Selby town centre, members of the public voted to make their concerns about drug dealing in the town centre and in the estates a priority for us. We then started an investigation into heroin dealing across Selby town."

He said 30 officers from Selby and York and two sniffer dogs were involved in the raids on addresses in Haig Street, Charles Street, Hollywood and New Millgate.

The Press attended the Haig Street raid, where a man and a woman were arrested. Three children living at the property were taken into the care of social services. "This is a very peaceful street and residents were concerned that every five minutes there'd be users coming to buy heroin," said Insp Pegg.

"We're determined to act on the concerns raised by the community and we want to give a message to anybody who decides to sell heroin: You will get caught'".

He said residents were worried about the crime and litter the trade brought to their streets, as well as the threat of their children becoming involved. The inspector said Operation Bergen was ongoing.