Police were today raiding nearly 20 "crack houses" across the Bradford

district in the biggest Drugs-busting operation of its type in the country.

More than 100 officers and Police Community Support Officers targeted 17 addresses, arresting known users and dealers.

Police used anti-social behaviour legislation to close down the premises, some of which were immediately boarded up.

For the first time, community leaders were invited to join officers on the raids.

Following months of planning, early morning swoops went ahead simultaneously in Bradford city centre Shipley, Undercliffe, Manningham, Thornbury, Queensbury, Thornton, and Keighley.

By 10.30am there had been 14 arrests for offences including burglary, possession of drugs, possession with intent to supply drugs and fine defaulting.

Those arrested in Operation Constantine were being taken to Bradford Central police station.

They were also immediately referred to the Drugs Intervention Programme, involving police and outreach workers, in a bid to wean them off their addiction.

At 9.20am six police vans and an unmarked car descended on flats in Chain Street just outside Bradford city centre.

Squads of officers in protective gear jumped out and swooped on three flats.

One officer used a battering ram to smash down the front door of a first floor flat and the officers poured inside. Within seconds the same thing happened at the two other flats.

A middle aged man was led in handcuffs o a police van from one flat. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and Class C drugs.

The raids were filmed by police. An official from Bradford Community Housing Trust was also present.

Superintendent Dave Oldroyd, in charge of the operation, said : "The people of Bradford are absolutely sick and tired of the crime and anti-social behaviour associated with premises used for the taking of drugs.

"We are picking up the message loud and clear that they do not want their lives being made a misery by such premises."

He said anyone taken into custody today would have access to a drugs intervention worker.

He added: "There is clear evidence to prove that if you get the key individuals out of the system by rehabilitation, crime drops massively and everybody benefits."

Today's raids involved the police linking up with Bradford Council, housing trusts and drugs outreach workers. Police involvement included drugs sniffer dogs, the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit, Target and Bradford District Drugs Team.

Supt Oldroyd said: "We think an operation like this has never been seen before on this scale in the country. We are on fairly virgin territory in having community representatives present.

"The idea is that hopefully they can take back positive messages of reassurance to communities."

Police have signed orders authorising the closure and securing of the crack houses for three months and preventing the tenants from returning. Some of the premises were being boarded up to prevent entry.

At one address a man with convictions for burglary, theft and drug possession was living with two women using the premises for prostitution.

Another house near three schools was occupied by a middle-aged man who had served a prison sentence for supplying heroin. Drug users called at the house at all times of day and night and needles and methadone bottles were discarded in the street.

As the raids took place police officers and Police Community Support Officers immediately began knocking on neighbours' doors and handing out advice leaflets on drugs issues.

Residents welcomed the raids.

One man in Chain Street said: "I am hoping it works out. I do feel more comfortable with this happening.

"I have been looking at moving from here but I will give it a few weeks now and see if it settles down. Hopefully we will get back to as near normal a life as possible in the area."