POLICE recovered more than 30 bags of cannabis from a house and made four arrests as part of a crackdown on suspected drug dealers and anti-social behaviour on an estate.

Neighbourhood officers, accompanied by special constables and dog patrols, executed three warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act at addresses in Sutton Heath Estate.

Two women, aged 22 years and 19 years, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.

A 43-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were also arrested at another property on suspicion of possession of a class B drug and handling stolen goods.

The three women were questioned by officers and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The 43-year-old man was given an adult caution for possession of a Class B drug.

The arrests follow a number of other people being arrested in the area over recent days on suspicion of offences including breach of an anti-social behaviour order and theft of a motor bike.

Neighbourhood Inspector for St Helens South, Elaine Collins, said: "This action comes after people in the area raised concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

"I want to take this opportunity to reassure them that we are determined to crackdown on the minority of people whose activities blight the lives of ordinary hard working residents on the estate.

"This operation and these arrests are the result of hard work by neighbourhood officers and our partners over a number of weeks and people can expect more police activity like this over the coming months.

"The message is clear - drug dealing, criminality and anti-social behaviour won't be tolerated anywhere in St Helens and we will bring those responsible to justice."

Anyone with information can call officers via the police non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

THREE people arrested on suspicion of drugs offences on Monday following a swoop by the police's specialist Matrix team have been released on bail.

The two men, both aged 22, from Newton-le-Willows and Haydock, and a 24-year-old woman from Haydock, were taken into custody by officers from the squad that tackles serious organised crime.