Police in riot gear raid Market Drayton home linked to drugs inquiry
[gallery] Police in riot gear stormed a home in Shropshire today in a raid linked to an investigation into drugs.
About 10 uniformed officers used heavy-duty equipment to smash down the door in Market Drayton, breaking the silence of the estate just before 7.30am.
Police Community Support Officers also surrounded the rear of the property in Beechwood Court and nearby fences to stop any attempts at escape.
Police decided to take action after receiving six reports of drug use since July.
They crept up on the property and used an "enforcer" to smash down the door, waking a man and a woman inside the one-bedroomed bedsit.
They found a number of needles but no drugs. A thorough search of the property was carried out but no arrests were made.
Constable Mick Sturland, the safer neighbourhood officer for Market Drayton, said action was taken after reports of drug activity "morning, noon and night".
He said: "We haven't found anything but it has gone very well. The main aim is to show people we will deal with targets if we're given the right information.
"People need to keep on calling in because we are keen to know about anything going on that relates to drug use.
"As soon as we get more intelligence we will carry out further raids.
"It's gone on too long and I don't want people to think it's acceptable."
The early morning raid also involved representatives from Shropshire Housing Group, Meres and Mosses, who manage the property.
A warrant for the raid was obtained under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
It follows a similar raid which was carried out in the town two years ago.
Officers raided an address just off Stafford Street following similar complaints but no drugs were found.
Police today said they are keen to hear from anyone regarding misuse of drugs and urged people to call the non-emergency number 101.
