POLICE searching for weapons bought illegally on the internet have raided a house in Huddersfield as part of a nationwide blitz.
West Yorkshire Police yesterday raided seven homes in the county including one in Lindley and others in Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Overthorpe in Dewsbury, Halifax, Wakefield and Leeds.
They found weapons including blank firing pistols, CS spray and home made explosives.
Hydroponic equipment which can be used to grow cannabis was also seized in Dewsbury.
Seven men - including one from the Lindley house - and one woman were arrested.
The Lindley man and one other were later released without charge.
A third was given a verbal caution and the rest were released on bail pending further inquiries.
The nationwide codeword is Operation Bembridge. It follows an investigation by Customs and Excise and the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
In total, there were 200 raids by police forces across the country yesterday targeting people believed to have used the internet to buy illegal weapons.
These weapons include stun guns and imitation guns which can be converted into live firearms.
Chief Insp Jason Galvin, head of West Yorkshire Police's Firearms Support Unit said: "Yesterday morning's activity forms part of a huge intelligence-led operation to prevent people acquiring unlawful weapons.
"The internet is not an anonymous means of buying weapons.
"Anyone attempting to do so risks being arrested and charged."
