Undercover police are targeting "drugs shops" on Bradford estates in a bid to stamp out the latest drugs menace facing communities.

In raids yesterday they seized drugs from three houses allegedly used as heroin and cannabis "shops" on the Sutton estate in Dudley Hill.

Twenty-five people were seen by undercover police visiting one of the houses allegedly to buy drugs in a two hour period. Many were believed to be buying drugs out in the garden.

The raids - called Operation Felix - took place at 5.45pm yesterday on homes in Dudley Street, Carden Road and Woodville Close in the Sutton estate, Dudley Hill after residents called in the police.

Today a housing chief appealed to the public to help stamp out the menace.

Chairman of the Housing sub-committee, Councillor Jim O'Neill, said people were living in fear because of the growing problem.

"It is happening because drugs are cheap and easily obtainable."

But he said the menace could be stamped out with the help of the public.

He could not comment on a housing association estate but said: "People can contact the Council about their fears and it will be confidential. We hope they will."

He congratulated families who had complained on the Sutton Estate and said he hoped more would follow their example.

Ward Coun John Ryan (Lab, Bowling) said: "The residents are to be congratulated on their brave action. It is the sort of thing the police need. I applaud them and hope their example will be followed."

Coun Jack Womersley a member of the Council's community safety committee said: "Young lives are being ruined by cannabis and heroin and society must do everything they can to prevent it from happening."

Twenty-four officers and a police dog handler were involved in the raids, which took place simultaneously.

They smashed down doors and seized quantities of heroin and cannabis.

Sergeant Stephen Snow, of Dudley Hill CID, said: "It has been a successful operation and it sends out a message to the residents on the estate that we take positive action in relation to drug dealers.

"We have been watching the properties for three weeks now. More than 60 people have been seen using the houses and 25 people went to the house in Carden Road in two hours."

A spokesman for the Sutton Community Association and the Estate Management Committee said: "We are pleased that the police are still taking positive action against tenants for drug-related offences."

A spokesman for the housing association William Sutton Trust said: "We have now served eviction notices. Drug-related crime will not be tolerated."

A 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man have been charged with supply and possession of drugs.

A 34-year-old man was charged with possession and they will all appear before Bradford magistrates on July 29.

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