Cocaine and cannabis have been seized in a series of dawn drug raids across Blackbird Leys.

Thirteen people are in custody accused of drug possession, drug dealing and possessing a firearm after ten properties were targeted across the estate.

About 70 officers launched simultaneous raids on three flats in Warburg Crescent, a flat in Moorbank and a house in Field Avenue at 5am.

Over the following four hours police went to homes in Emporer Gardens, Blackbird Leys Road, Birchfield Close, Long Ground and Whitethorn Way.

Seizures include a fist-sized lump of suspected crack cocaine, bags of what police believe is cannabis, an illegal pepper spray and a crossbow.

Insp Andy Storey said the operation, which was among the largest of its kind to take place in Oxford, was carried out after residents complained drug dealing was rife.

He added: “We’ve found a lot of drugs which we’ve taken off the streets and have made a number of arrests.

“But it is also important that we have been out doing what the public wants us to do.”

Officers on police horses will be patrolling the estate today.