ELEVEN people were arrested and thousands of pounds worth of drugs seized in a series of police raids in York.

Officers executed a series of early morning warrants as part of Operation Secure, and encouraged members of the public to pass information confidentially to police about suspicious activity or people they believe are indulging in crime.

Officers made seven arrests for drug offences in a number of raids throughout the city:

· A 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply after officers found a substantial quantity of white powder during a raid at a house on Spalding Avenue in Clifton. They have both been released on police bail as enquiries continue.

· In a raid at a property on Swann Street, off Nunnery Lane, officers found a large quantity of cannabis and Class A tablets. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply. He has been bailed as police continue their enquiries.

· A 30-year-old man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after officers raided a property in Cromer Street in Clifton. He will appear at York Magistrates’ Court on December 30.

· A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance after officers arrested him St Leonard’s Place. He remains in police custody.

· A 22-year-old man was arrested in St Helen's Square on suspicion of theft and when police searched his home he was also arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs. He has been released on police bail as enquiries continue.

Officers also made five arrests for failure to pay outstanding fines owed to the courts. Three men and two women were all taken straight to York Magistrates’ Court.

The day of action also saw police clamp down on traffic and littering offences. Police issued 19 fixed penalty tickets to the value of £90 for not displaying up-to-date tax discs, three drivers were given fixed penalty ticket for offences including failure to comply with traffic lights and not complying with a mandatory left turn.

Police also issued eight people with £80 littering tickets.

Officers later conducted a letter drop at more than 1,400 houses informing residents of the day of action and offering crime prevention advice.

Inspector Mark Henderson, of York Central Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The day of action was a direct result of intelligence we have received from the community.

“Operation Secure was established to tackle issues that matter to our residents and their cooperation has been vital to our efforts.”