Police have declared their recent war on drug dealers in Devizes an unqualified success.

Some heroin addicts have been driven to seek help to get off the drug while others have to travel to Swindon in order to source a supply.

Twelve warrants on the homes of known drug dealers and users have been executed since Operation Earning was first implemented on Friday April 24.

As well as the raids on homes, there have been a number of stop searches carried out in the street.

This has led, say the police, to a sense of paranoia among hardened drug users and made some seek assistance to kick their habit from such organisations as the Bath and District Drugs Advisory Service.

Raids were carried out at addresses in Mayenne Place, Hare and Hounds Street, Ash Walk, Meadow Drive, Longcroft Avenue, Victoria Road, Sheep Street in Devizes and Wheeler Place, Rowde.

A number of people were arrested and six have been charged with drugs and other offences.

A report on the operation said: “Several of the users in the area have admitted and been witnessed travelling to Swindon in order to collect heroin as there was none available locally.

“Whilst this displacment may not eradicate the problem, it causes problems for those users who need to organise transport and effort to do this.

“At least two users have suggested that this alone has caused them to seek further contact with support agencies in relation to obtaining medical help in getting off heroin.”

Inspector Andy Noble at Devizes police station said: “We have also seen a downward trend in acquisitive crime and that for me is the most important element in this.

“We want people to come to Devizes and enjoy the shopping experience without seeing the sort of behaviour connected with the drug scene that creates such a bad impression.

“The first and second tier dealers are now looking over their shoulders and at least two individuals have gone into treatment schemes as a direct result of this operation.”