EIGHT suspected drug dens were raided by police in Oxford last night, in one of the biggest operations of its kind the city has ever seen.

More than 100 officers raided four homes simultaneously in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys at 6.20pm.

Four more homes were then raided across the estates two hours later.

A large quantity of Class-A drugs, believed to be heroin and cocaine, were seized and a number of arrests were made.

The Oxford Times joined officers on the operation, first raiding a semi-detached house in Green Hill.

Pc Alex Shepherd, Blackbird Leys Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, said outside the house: "The scale of this operation shows the residents of Blackbird Leys how seriously we are tackling their concerns.

"Tonight we carried out a large-scale operation, which was intelligence led, with the intention of finding and disrupting drug activity.

"We are hoping to show those involved in drug-related activity, they are not safe from us."

One man was arrested following the raid on the house in Green Hill, where drugs were found.

All the surfaces were swabbed with a 'drugs itemiser' - used to test for traces of drugs. A drugs sniffer dog helped in the search.

The other three homes raided by police were in Sandy Lane, Falcoln Close, and Windrush Tower.

Pc Leigh Thompson, drugs coordinator for Oxfordshire, said: "The people round here are sick and tired of drug dealers.

"We are here tonight with high-visibility police, but we are not going to go away.

"If people are coming to Blackbird Leys and dealing drugs, we don't want them here. We will use all our powers to rid the area of these people.

"This is the biggest drugs operation we have done for quite a few years."

The eight drugs raids were carried out after consultation with local people through police Neighbourhood Action Groups. Residents had told officers that the need to tackle drugs should be their top priority.

A 29-year-old woman, from Green Hill, who asked not to be named, said: "I really don't like drugs and especially not on my doorstep.

"I've seen lots of people coming and going from that house - every Tom, Dick and Harry - it made me wonder what was going on."

Another female neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I always thought there was a nice family living there. I had no idea what was going on and I am completely in shock."

Those arrested, and a quantity of seized drugs, were taken back to St Aldate's Police station.