POLICE have raided Andover residences following an operation to target drug activity within the town.

One man was arrested and another man interviewed under caution.

Neighbourhood officers executed warrants at houses in Clarendon Avenue and Winchester Road on Monday 26 September.

A 27-year-old man from Andover has been interviewed under caution after voluntarily attending a police station.

A 21-year-old man from Hertfordshire has been arrested in connection with the drug warrants and has been released with no further action.

Polices focused on an area known as cuckooing - where a drug dealer will intimidate and exploit a vulnerable drug addict in order to use their home as a base.

Officers and Police Community Support Officers also worked with representatives from partner agencies, including housing and the local mental health team, to offer support to those caught up in the sale and supply of illegal drugs.

Sergeant Loraine Stockham-Hunt said: “We are working hard to make life as unpleasant as possible for people who come into our town suspected of being involved in drug dealing and crimes linked to drugs.  

“We don’t underestimate the impact this sort of criminal activity can have on the local community, so we are also working hard with our partner agencies to provide support to them, where possible.

“We do need your help. The more we know, the more we can do about it. If you have any information about drug activity in your community, please call us on 101.”

Operation Fortress is a campaign involving police and other agencies to reduce the harm of drug-related violence.

One of the aims is to restrict the supply of drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.