Raids have been carried out at three houses as part of a police operation to combat drug-dealing.

Officers yesterday forced their way into two properties in Sowden Road, Heaton, and one in Chelwood Avenue, Allerton, as part of the month-long operation.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at one of the houses in Sowden Road and cautioned for possessing cannabis.

Sergeant Dave Williams, of North Bradford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said a quantity of cannabis and a cannabis grinder were found inside. A woman and four children were also in the property at the time of the raid.

Sgt Williams said nothing was found in the other house in Sowden Road and no arrests were made. No arrests made during the raid on the house in Chelwood Drive.

Sgt Williams, who led the raids, said a total of five people had so far been arrested during the operation, including a 41-year-old man who had been charged with supplying heroin.

A 42-year-old female has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a class A drug and two men, aged 59 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin with intent to supply.

All three have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Sgt Williams said: “Local residents have told the police that there’s a drug problem in that area.

“We are aware that it has been an historic problem in the Allerton and Heaton areas, and we have had an operation in place which has targeted both mobile drug dealers and their home addresses. As well as targeting the criminal side of it we have also had community engagement and leaflet drops in the area, including Dob In A Dealer, asking for more community intelligence.

“We have also had officers from the Drugs Intervention Programme visiting known drug users to get them out of the cycle of drug use and committing crime.”

A police exhibits van was also stationed in Lower Grange Square, Allerton, yesterday to provide people with information about the force’s work.

Sgt Williams said officers would continue to act on information provided by members of the public.

Anyone who has any information about crime issues in the Heaton and Allerton areas should contact the North Bradford NPT on 0845 6060606, or Dob In A Dealer at Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.