Homes raided during a major drugs operation across an Oxford estate could be closed down and the tenants evicted, police warned last night.

Officers raided eight homes in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys, seizing a stash of crack cocaine and making seven arrests on Thursday.

Last night, officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and mounted police were back on the streets on 'reassurance patrols'.

Today, a 24-year-old man and a teenager were due in court charged with dealing class A drugs.

Leigh Thompson, drugs co-ordinator for Oxfordshire, said: "Whatever results come from this, we are sending a message out to the people of Blackbirds Leys that we are listening to their concerns.

"They voted drugs as the number one policing priority in their area and we are doing all we can to tackle the problem. We'll take the criminal action against these people and our partners will take civil action - so hopefully, we will get them one way or another.

"If you are caught with drugs on the premises and dealing them, we'll be doing everything in our power, with the council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team, to take action which can mean antisocial behaviour orders, eviction or even a drugs house closure order which shuts the premises for three months."

About 100 wraps of suspected crack cocaine were seized from a house in Field Avenue, and are being analysed.

No class A drugs were discovered in the other seven homes, but samples taken by a drugs itemiser indicated traces of cocaine.

The seven arrests were made on suspicion of possession of drugs, intent to supply, and handling stolen goods.

Four men, aged 45, 28, 40 and 29, and a 37-year-old woman have all been bailed pending further investigations. Three other women are due to be arrested by appointment.

Pc Thompson added: "We are not measuring the success of the operation on the amount of drugs found, but success is if the community feels it's a safer and better place to live."

About 65 officers were involved in the raids. Homes in Green Hill, Falcon Close, Windrush Tower and Sandy Lane were simultaneously raided at about 6.20pm.

Three hours later, homes in Field Avenue, Haldane Road and two in Ashmole Place were targeted.

Four ounces of cannabis, stolen goods and drug paraphernalia were also seized in the operation.

Christopher Haines, 24, of Field Avenue was due to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court today, charged with possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, and possession of class A drugs.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will also appear in court, charged with possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, and possession of class C drugs.

Anyone with information which could help the police should call officers on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A couple raided by police have criticised officers for smashing down their door and turning their home upside down - for one cannabis joint.

The couple, who asked not to be named, were at home in Green Hill, Greater Leys, Oxford, when 12 officers burst in through the front door at about 6.20pm on Thursday.

Police arrested one man on suspicion of possession of drugs after cannabis was found in his pocket.

He admitted he was jailed seven years ago for drugs offences, but has cleaned up his act and is now working part-time at BMW while studying for a degree in Sociology and International Relations.

He said: "I had a joint in my pocket and was interviewed by police but after an hour and a half, I was let go.

"The police were fine. But they could have just knocked on the door and we would have let them in."

Pc Leigh Thompson, of Operation Falcon, said: "The people of Blackbird Leys and the community said these are the houses that are causing the problems. We act on that."