ABOUT 50 people have been arrested for drugs offences in Dover in the past three months since the police launched a crack-down on drug dealing in the town.

Raids have been carried out at 10 addresses in the the town and 30 drug seizures have been made. But the authorities are not just concentrating on detaining those concerned in the supply of drugs. They are also providing a network of support which can help them manage and control their addiction.

The operation, which has been described as a "phenomenal success", was launched in January by officers from the Strategic Crime Reduction Unit and the Crime and Disorder teams based in Dover, and they have achieved a significant reduction in the possession and supply of drugs and drug-related crime.

The clampdown is aimed at the supply of class A controlled drugs, such as heroin.

More than 150 people have been searched in connection with the Misuse of Drugs Act, and around 50 arrests have been made for offences ranging from possession to supply and cultivation of a range of drugs.

There has been a reported drop in crimes such as burglaries, shoplifting and robberies which tend to be committed by people who are dependent on drugs to pay for their habit.

Police media spokesman Jon Green said: "We believe the main reason for this success is because the key players involved in supplying drugs in the town have been taken out of the equation by the operation."

"The main aim of this long-term operation is to obstruct the dealers as much as possible, to put them out of business."