TWENTY-ONE people were arrested in dawn raids aimed at disrupting drug dealing in Liverpool.

Houses in Tuebrook and Kensington were the focus of the operation yesterday, following 12 months of intelligence gathering.

The ages of those arrested ranged from 17 to 60, and all are being held in custody for police questioning.

The swoop involved 200 officers and follows tip-offs from the local community about drug dealing.

It is linked to an operation which took place in January this year, when 23 people in south Liverpool were arrested on suspicion of drug offences, 18 of whom were later charged.

Kensington councillors were present at the police operation.

Cllr Louise Baldock said: “The help and support of the people of Kensington and Fairfield has resulted in a major policing operation which has removed 99% of the drug dealers from our streets.”

Liverpool North area Commander Steve Watson said: “We will continue to enforce the law to the fullest extent and urge anyone with information about drug dealing to contact us using the Crimestoppers number in confidence on 0800 555111.”