POLICE arrested 12 people in the biggest drugs raid for two years. Officers pounced on 13 houses in Chippenham, Corsham, Calne and Devizes at 7am on Thursday morning.

Operation Claire has been planned for the last nine months and £700-worth of heroin was recovered with around £200-worth of the class A drug being seized from one address alone.

Detective Inspector Graham Hatswell, who was heading the operation, said: "Operation Claire aims to disrupt the supply of class A drugs. Intelligence has shown us that a large number of people are involved."

Drugs, razor blades, cash and mobile phones were seized.

About 70 police officers, from across the region, took part in the early morning raids.

Inspector Ray Josey, who helped coordinate the operation, said it had been a success.

He said: "It has significantly disrupted the supply of drugs but we will not remain complacent."