Police are urging residents of Blackbird Leys to maintain the pressure on drug dealers living on the estate, following a successful sting operation.

As reported in the final edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, a stash of class A drugs were seized in raids on five homes in Moorbank, Knights Road, Barns Road, Redwood Close and Readmase, at 6pm on Tuesday.

A sixth house in Poulton Place, in Greater Leys, was searched later the same evening.

The drugs -- believed to be heroin and crack cocaine -- were found by police in an alley next to a property in Readmase, and were taken for testing.

During the raids, carried out by 35 officers including Blackbird Leys beat officers, police arrested four people on suspicion of drug offences.

Inspector Andy Talbot, who led the operation, said the force needed to keep up the pressure on dealers living in the community.

He said: "I think the operation was a success. We responded to information and intelligence from local people, and from that we're bringing people to justice.

"We need to ensure we maintain a consistent approach to the issue. We are not going to become complacent and we need people to keep us updated. The more information they give to our officers the more effective we can be."

One man aged 20 has been charged with possession of cannabis. A teenager arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis has been bailed, while further enquiries are carried out, and is due to appear back at St Aldate's Police Station on November 20.

Yesterday evening another man and a woman arrested during the raids were still being questioned by police on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

A sixth man, arrested on suspicion of carrying a firearm, was released without charge.

Community leaders welcomed police efforts to crack down on the drug dealers.

Leys Residents' Association chairman, Pat Stannard, said: "This is a much better way of dealing with the problem and it has achieved something.

"The stop and search methods may annoy people but drug houses are the issue we get the most complaints about."

The raids followed information gathered from members of the public living in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

The Independent Working Class Association (IWCA) held an anti-drugs patrol in the summer to encourage more police action on the estate.

Blackbird Leys city councillor Lee Cole said: "It's a start. There's still a long way to go but at least it shows the police are doing something -- as long as these people aren't allowed to return to the houses and carry on, which has happened before."

Brian Lester, Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman, said: "We welcome any positive steps against illegal drugs on the estate."