Five people were arrested in Oxford on the night of Wednesday, December 10, after police launched a series of drugs raids as part of Operation Crackdown - a bid to stop the growing crack cocaine menace.

Sixty officers seized heroin and crack cocaine in raids at 7.30pm on houses in Cowley Road and Blackbird Leys.

Thirty 'wraps' of what is thought to be crack and heroin were found in two rooms of the flats in Cowley Road, where two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and allowing the premises to be used for drug dealing.

A man was also arrested on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant from Jamaica.

Other wraps of suspected heroin were found at a house in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys. Two men were arrested and taken to St Aldate's police station for questioning.

Force intelligence bureau officers also used search warrants at a house Divinity Road, but no arrests were made.

It is the second time in a fortnight that officers have launched drugs raids in the east Oxford area.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Paul Anthem said: "A significant amount of intelligence was used to mount last night's operation and we shall continue to take action in a bid to tackle this problem."

Thames Valley Police recently announced it was launching the operation to combat the growing crack cocaine trade and the crime and antisocial behaviour it creates.

The operation is a response to the Government's National Crack Plan, which named Oxford and other parts of Thames Valley as "high crack areas".

The raids could be repeated, in a bid to clamp down on dealers in the operation, which aims to disrupt and dismantle crack supply networks, and prosecute dealers and crack-addicted offenders.

There are about 1,800 to 2,300 Class A drug users in Oxford and most of them commit crime to feed their habit. One rock of crack cocaine costs £20, or three for £50.

Thames Valley Police has achieved a milestone in its 35-year history - for the first time it has more than 4,000 officers.

An influx of 50 new recruits at the force training school means the force has 4,036 bobbies.

But the force said 841 police - one in five of its officers - was a probationer with less than two years' experience.

In Oxford, between 60 and 70 per cent of Pcs on foot patrol and in cars have less than two years' experience.