14 held in dawn drug raids.

ARMED police arrested 14 people yesterday in north Sefton dawn raids to smash a major drug dealing chain.

More than 100 officers stormed homes in Southport, Birkdale and Bootle after a six-month surveillance operation.

At 7am, uniformed and plain-clothed officers broke down doors at 16 addresses to arrest 14 people on suspicion of offences, including possession with intent to supply class-A drugs.

Police hope Operation Cullion will lead to a sudden drop in the number of burglaries, robberies and car break-ins in north Merseyside by taking drugs off the streets.

Detailed searches were continuing at the properties yesterday, including large houses and converted flats in Southport and homes in Mona Street and Hornby Road, Bootle.

Those arrested were taken to various police stations for questioning.

Chief Supt Dave Lewis, area commander for Sefton, said: "Southport doesn't have the same level of problem that other areas have, but right across the country there is a level of drug taking that is unacceptable.

"It's only fair for the people in north Sefton that, if we know about drug dealers, we should tackle them.

"Carrying out raids is not something we do because it looks good for the police' it's what the public wants.

"I hope and expect the level of acquisitional crime to drop as a result of this operation."