DRUG dealers are being pushed into back alleyways because of the number of raids on homes on an Oxford estate, police said last night.

Since February, there have been 46 raids in Blackbird Leys and drugs worth more than £50,000 seized – including a £13,000 haul of crack cocaine, dozens of bags of cannabis, cash, an illegal pepper spray and a crossbow.

As a result, police believe dealers have been forced to operate on the streets.

Now teams of plainclothes police officers are being sent out to alleyways on the estate to tackle the problem, stopping and searching anyone who looks suspicious.

Sgt Rob Axe said: “We have become more aware of drug dealing in the alleyways.

“We’re getting complaints from residents off the back of the warrants that a lot of the dealing is now taking place in alleyways. It was always going to go somewhere else.

“We’re getting complaints from all over the estate.

“Alleyways are ideal places to deal drugs, because it makes it so much easier to be discreet. They do a deal and then they’re gone and if you’re not there, you miss it.

“It’s any time of day. They are drug takers and they have habits, so some wake up early and need to score and others wake up later. It’s a 24-hour business.”

Sgt Axe said plainclothes officers were being deployed because they were more likely to catch dealers in the act than uniformed officers.

He added: “It’s getting better. When we go to meetings, councillors have thanked us for getting a grip on things and they are getting feedback from the residents directly.

“If you deal drugs on the estate, expect to be dealt with by the neighbourhood team.”

Bob Avery, 64, of Watlington Road, Blackbird Leys, said he had a “web” of alleyways near his home where drug dealing had once been “horrendous”.

He said: “It’s good that they are doing stop and searches.

“If you haven’t committed a crime, then people shouldn’t be worried.”

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gerry Webb said: “I haven’t personally seen it going on in the alleyways but I have had people telling me about it.

“People want to be able to get out and have the freedom and safety to move through these areas.

“Generally people feel quite intimidated if they see drug dealing going on.”

If drug dealing is going on near you call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.