LUNCHTIME shoppers gazed in astonishment as police launched a full-scale raid on a suspected drug pusher operating from York city centre.

About six police officers raided a flat in Peter Lane, off Market Street, at about 1pm yesterday (Mon) and recovered a quantity of what they believe is a Class A drug, either heroin or crack cocaine.

Passer-by John Henry witnessed the drama unfold.

He said: "I was walking past the alleyway and I heard a loud banging noise.

"I stopped to have a look and about half a dozen officers had their backs to a wall. One of them was hammering on a door and it splintered open.

"They ran in shouting 'police, police' and two WPCs ran round the back, I suppose to block any escape route."

Inspector Tim Madgwick, of York police, said the drugs recovered had been sent for forensic examination and police would not know exactly what they were until forensic tests had been completed.

But he said they were definitely Class A and were most likely heroin, but could be crack cocaine.

He said: "The message is that we know there is a drugs problem and we know there are people out there supplying and we are determined to hit them as hard as possible."

Inspector Madgwick said that police carried out the raid almost immediately after receiving information and said that if they received other such information, they would act upon it.

After the raid a man was arrested by police on suspicion of possession and intent to supply drugs.