Police today carried out early morning Drugs raids at addresses on Bradford's Buttershaw estate after an intensive two-month operation.

A total of 12 people were arrested - nine men and three women - during raids at 13 addresses on the estate in an operation code-named Lambretta.

And the arrests came as the Bradford-based Bridge drugs project warned of a new trend where parents are acting as "chauffeurs" to their children, driving them on to estates to "score".

All those arrested this morning were taken to Odsal police station for questioning about the supply and distribution of crack cocaine and heroin.

The investigation involved an intensive seven-day operation and was led by Odsal CID, based at Dudley Hill, with support from the division's uniformed officers and the Force Operational Support Unit.

Detective Inspector Chris Thompson, the officer leading the operation, said the fact 60 officers were involved was a measure of the division's commitment to tackling drug-related offences.

Those arrested are all local to Bradford and aged between 18 and 39.

Commenting on the operation, Det Insp Thompson said: "The majority of residents living on the Buttershaw estate are law-abiding decent people who are sick and tired of the problems caused by drug dealing."

He said the problems experienced on Buttershaw were reflected in many areas in Bradford. "We are determined to reverse the trend. This operation is just one stage in our ongoing fight against drug-related crime in the Odsal Division.

"We are using sophisticated and innovative techniques and will bring to justice those who deal in this deadly trade," he said. He added that members of the public were often the unsung heroes: "Without their help in passing us information we would not be in a position to mount such operations."

Today Geoff Hinds, co-ordinator of the Bridge Drugs Guidance Project, said although drug deals are taking place in areas like Buttershaw the growing trend is for parents from other parts of the district to drive their children onto estates to buy drugs.

He said: "Heroin addiction and abuse is no respecter of post code, wealth, status or background. There's a widespread problem across the district.

"Parents are driving their children on to estates because they know that's where they can score. It's a difficult situation for parents and they think they are doing the right thing."

Peter Eccles, chairman of the Royds Community Association, which covers the Buttershaw, Woodside and Delph Hill estates, said: "Drugs is a particular problem on Buttershaw, and one which is holding back development. Residents will be delighted with this latest police operation."

Anyone with information regarding drug-related offences should contact Odsal Police on Bradford 376659 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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