Several people were arrested in a series of dawn raids in London and Gravesend to crackdown on 'county lines' drug dealing.

Police swooped on properties and seized class A drugs, cash, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.

A county line is a mobile number used for selling class A drugs and is run by gangs in the capital who send dealers into other counties in order to reach new customers.

Video: Police make arrests in drugs raids

This morning's raids were carried out by the police's Operation Raptor team and were all linked to the same gang.

A 42-year-old woman, from Gravesend, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

A 38-year-old man, also from Gravesend, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and abstraction of electricity.

A 33-year-old man, from Clapton, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and fraud.

A 20-year-old man, from Stockwell, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

A 21-year-old man, from Wimbledon, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

A 30-year-old man, from Peckham, was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

A 31-year-old woman, from Kennington, was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Det Insp Kevin Downard said: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to drug-related crime and work closely with our neighbouring forces in order to target known offenders and bring them to justice.

"Criminals believe they can operate with impunity in some areas but we have our eyes and ears everywhere and I hope today’s operation shows that we are not afraid to cross county borders in order to target those we suspect of being involved in the supply of illegal substances.

"Over the past several years there has been some fantastic work under Operation Raptor to arrest and deter drug dealers targeting our towns, and a significant number of criminals are now behind bars.

"We cannot do it alone though and urge members of the public to continue to report any suspicious behaviour to us. By continuing to work together we not only ensure Kent remains a safe place to live but we are getting the message through to criminals that there is no hiding place from the law."