A POLICE blitz to shut down drugs dens across Kirklees has ended with almost 50 arrests.
High-profile raids led to police squads targeting 22 homes where drugs were suspected of being sold and taken.
There were three days of action this week - Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - which resulted in 47 arrests.
It was the biggest-ever operation of its kind in the area.
Homes were targeted in Ravensthorpe, Thornhill, Mirfield, Golcar, Milnsbridge, Moldgreen, Highburton, Crosland Moor, Thornton Lodge, Howden Clough, Batley Carr, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury Moor.
After the raids posters were put up in the windows of the homes stating the police's intention to take court action to close the houses for at least three months.
Chief Insp Keith Hallas, head of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Kirklees, said: "We have responded directly to residents' concerns about properties nearby being used as drug dens.
"We have affixed closure notices to 22 properties and a number of those cases have been adjourned for the next two weeks.
"This means that although the case won't be heard immediately, we will be checking those addresses regularly.
"If we find evidence that the premises are being used as drugs dens we will make arrests, as only the tenants are entitled to be on these premises.
"This is the biggest operation of its kind in Kirklees and sends a strong message to communities that drug dealing and the anti- social behaviour associated with it will not be tolerated.
"We have listened to people's concerns and taken positive action to address those issues.
"I can assure the public that this is just one of the many planned operations to combat drug abuse and dealing in Kirklees."
