IT was a day of action aimed at ridding a Southampton community of the scourge of drugs.

Teams of police swamped Thornhill yesterday and forced their way into four homes thought to be connected to dealing and drug-related violence.

Raids were carried out one after the other at properties in Lydgate Road, Napier Road and at flats in Meredith Towers in Tunstall Road and Dumbleton Towers in Warburton Road.

Daily Echo:

Officers recovered a quantity of suspected class A drugs and cannabis which have been taken away for examination.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a class A drug and last night remained in custody while inquiries continued.

Residents watching events unfold in their neighbourhoods were quickly reassured that the heavy police presence was part of the ongoing Daily Echobacked Operation Fortress campaign aimed at stamping out high end drug dealing and violence in the city.

In the aftermath, local officers were also patrolling the area with the distinctive Operation Fortress van, educating those not in the know about the twoyear campaign in the city.

Daily Echo:

Inspector Tom Orchard, from Bitterne police station, said: “The response from the community today has been really positive.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Fortress team on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.