KENT Police have arrested 12 people on suspicion of drug dealing in Medway in the second substantial swoop on dealers in the area in the past eight months.

A significant amount of what is believed to be crack cocaine was found at one address and has been taken away for analysis.

Up to 32 warrants are being executed in the Medway Towns and at addresses in Ashford. The raids, supported by more than 180 officers, began at dawn on Tuesday.

Close community work by Kent Police with the people living in the Medway Towns has led officers to follow up information to dismantle the drugs networks.

Local officers, together with Police Community Support Officers and community safety teams, are now working in the areas where the arrests were made. They are contacting local people to offer support and advice to the community.

Medway area commander Chief Supt Jan Stephens said: "People in Medway are fed up with drug dealers living in their community. There are a huge number of people out there who would be devastated if their loved ones become involved with drugs.

"We are working with them to ensure we clear the streets of drugs. If opportunist dealers think they can move in to replace others we have removed from the streets, they can think again. What we did today we will do again. The police are determined to make sure that Medway is a safer community for all of us."

This week police will be targeting identified routes in and out of Medway, working with British Transport Police and other agencies, including the Department of Transport, local authorities, community street wardens, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and local health authorities.

The Kent Police drugs dogs will be used at different locations.

The "rat on a rat" campaign, previously run by Kent Police, is being re-introduced around Medway to encourage better public engagement with police.

Families, friends, neighbours and colleagues are all being urged to tell the police confidentially via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111, of anyone involved in the supply and use of drugs in Medway.

A spokesman stressed: "Kent Police is determined to ensure that Medway is a safe and drug-free community. Not only will there be support for the community today but Youth Crime Reduction officers and Police Community Support Officers are working with local schools and young people in the area to make them aware of the crackdown against drugs and the dangers of using them."

This morning’s operation follows on from successful drugs raids in Medway in January this year which resulted in 20 people being charged with 84 offences.

Kent Police officers also raided a number of premises in Thanet in August, making 22 arrests for dealing in crack cocaine and heroin and charging 18 people.

Supt Paul Brandon, of Kent Police Tactical Operations, said: "We are committed to driving out the drug dealers of the county. This operation in Medway is the latest in a succession of operations and has proved how, working with the public, and our own intelligence-led policing, we are ensuring that drugs networks are disrupted and those responsible are arrested.

"Kent Police will continue to tackle the drugs trade and stamp out organised crime linked to drugs. The arrests this morning have gone some way to ridding the streets of drugs."

Specialist help is available to those arrested people who have developed a drug dependency.

Anyone needing information and advice on drugs, can visit the following websites:

www.drugsuk.org