NINE people were arrested as police swooped on suspected drug dealers across the town.

All were arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs.

Homes in the following roads were raided:

  • Oxford Street, Railway Village - a 29-year-old man was arrested
  • Doris Archer Court, Pinehurst – a boy, 17, was arrested  
  • Inglesham Road, Penhill - a 44-year-old woman was arrested
  • Penhill Drive, Penhill - a man, 46, and a 46-year-old woman were arrested  
  • Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill - a 47-year-old man was arrested 
  • William Street, town centre - a man, 39, was arrested 
  • Sadler Walk, Walcot – no arrests
  • Drake's Way, Walcot – no arrests
  • Westcott Place, town centre – no arrest

Two other men, aged 17 and 20, were arrested in the town centre.

Det Insp Paul Franklin said the raids were targeting out-of-town County Lines gangs: "The gangs who exploit children and vulnerable adults as part of these drug networks don't care about the human cost of their dealing. 

"They have no regard for those who are often forced to carry out their dirty work to push drugs. They also don't care about the impact in the the wider community with the associated increased violence, anti-social behaviour and other drug related offences in local neighbourhoods which does affect innocent people. 

"The message we are sending to out of town criminal gangs is that you are not welcome here, we are not a soft touch and we won't tolerate any drug dealing and the violence which comes with it.

"Operations like today, will continue as we continue our determined work to close down County Lines."