POLICE have been raiding homes for drugs almost every second day on an Oxford estate thanks to tip-offs from residents.

More than 30 people have been arrested, of whom four have been charged and half a dozen are on bail, after 26 drugs raids in Blackbird Leys in the past 56 days.

The raids have also netted crack cocaine, ecstacy pills, heroin and dozens of cannabis plants and resin. The purge began on March 19, when police raided 10 homes and made 14 arrests.

Residents said the number of dealers on street corners and alleyways had been falling over the past two months.

Sgt Rob Axe said: “When we carried out the raids on March 19 it was an eye opener for many people. They saw a lot of police activity. We asked them for more information and, to be fair, they have come forward.

“We have a very proactive team and if we are given information, and needs must, then we will drop everything and do it straight away.

“If you’re a drug dealer on the Leys then the chances are you will get your door kicked in at some point.

“We are definitely disrupting the trade. We are chipping away.”

Fourteen people were cautioned for possession of drugs.

Police also seized two cannabis farms, a crossbow and CS spray.

Sgt Axe added: “People we speak to on the estate say ‘good another drugs raid, now try this address’. A lot of people know what’s going on on the estate and they are realising if they do tell us we will act and it’s not like talking to a brick wall.

“Historically, the Leys has always had a drugs problem.

“We are trying to make sure people who come from outside Oxfordshire think twice about setting up their stall here. But there are always going to be people prepared to chance their arm and try to make some money.”

Drugs have been the number one complaint named by residents in police surveys on the estate for the past two years.

Gordon Roper, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: “Police seem to be doing a general purge and drug dealers are frightened.

“Police are watching them and residents are actually informing them where they are.”

Gerry Webb, of Nightingale Avenue, said: “There’s less drugs about and less dealers.

“But when police get rid of one, another pops up in its place.

“They’re not really hitting the bigger boys.

“But it’s having a good effect on the alleyways and stairwells.”

Simon Lockyer, of Blackbird Leys Road, said: “There are more police patrols and it feels a little bit better.

“But every day we have to walk out and you can see and smell drugs. You can see it everywhere. There is always something going on.”

Police have not been able to put a street value on the drugs seized.