THE battle to "reclaim York's streets" began today as 40 police officers battered their way into homes and a pub in a series of early-morning raids.

A team of officers used a battering ram to smash their way into The Reindeer pub, in Penleys Grove Street, The Groves.

Four other council flats in surrounding streets were simultaneously entered and searched in the first of what police promised would be a series of similar operations.

Officers had warrants to search the properties for drugs, stolen property and the proceeds of crime.

Five people, including one woman, were arrested. Some possessions were confiscated from the properties for examination.

York and Selby area commander Chief Superintendent John Lacy said the raids, which followed months of careful planning, were a message to the criminal community that there was no place to hide.

He said: "The public will see high-profile dawn raid operations sporadically across the city in weeks to come as we begin to reclaim the streets. Criminals be aware, we are after you and your lives will be disrupted by attempts to arrest you."

Sergeant Andrew Criddle, who co-ordinated the 8am raids, said: "We need to send people in the drugs community a strong message; that we are here, we are onto them and we are not going to leave them alone."

Two neighbouring flats in Ayton House, Cole Street, a flat in Bempton House and a flat in Ardsley House in Del Pyke, another street in The Groves, were the homes searched.

The Reindeer pub, at the junction of Penleys Grove Street and Abbot Street, was also searched by trained police officers with sniffer dogs.

Chief Inspector Howard Harding said the raids were part of a push to "regain the streets from people who peddle drugs and fuel crime".

He said: "This is the police and the community working together to rid our streets of drugs.

"People who are prepared to break the law must be prepared to bear the consequences.

"We will disrupt their lives, confiscate illegally-held possessions and bring them to justice.

"The Groves area is under the microscope today, but we will continue to watch closely those who use drugs and steal to fund their habit."

Ch Supt Lacy added: "Our message to all those people who are wanted is rest assured pro-active inquiries will be made 24-hours-a-day to bring you to justice. If you know you are wanted now is the time to give yourself up.

"If not, then your life will be disrupted by attempts to arrest you. If that means going to your employer when we have tried to bring you in from home then we will do that."

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, September 04, 2003