SIX people have been arrested this morning following a series of drug warrants, open land searches, roadside operations and high visibility patrols across the borough.

The Star joined police as they raided two properties, one on Shaw Street, St Helens and another on Primula Close in Bold, as part of Operation Target.

Three warrants in total were carried out across St Helens on the morning of action in a bid to disrupt criminal activity and bring people to justice.

St Helens Star:

Suspected drugs were also recovered from properties and open land searches took place.

Local Policing Inspector Neil Birkett said: “Today's operation has been focused around criminality and criminal activity in the St Helens area.

"We've executed a number of warrants today, some of which has been successful with arrests for drug supply and drug dealing.

"We also have a roadside operation where we have had arrests for drug driving and vehicle related matters.

St Helens Star:

"We've also had a number of officers in plain clothes and uniform operating around the town centre, Fingerpost and Westfield estate targetting some of the drug activity at those locations.

"Operation Vermont has been at different locations around the force and I'm really pleased to see it running in St Helens today.

"A lot of planning and work went in to this and we've got officers coming from far and wide into St Helens to try to have an impact on the criminality here.

St Helens Star:

"I'm really pleased with the results, we've had arrests for drugs but for other matters too.

"Also I'm really pleased for the community of St Helens that have additional resources today and the operation is hopefully something we can pull together again in the future.

"We're aware of the issues in St Helens and my thought to the community is to keep doing what you are doing and pass that information order to Crimestoppers, local PCSOs or report it online.

"We will act on it and follow it up we just need that information so we can take action."

St Helens Star:

Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community or knows where weapons are being stored or who is using them can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.