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| Drugs police arrest 45 in raids | Drugs police arrest 45 in raids |
| (38 minutes later) | |
| Forty-five people were arrested when 800 officers raided 55 homes across England in a massive crackdown on suspected drug dealers and thieves. | |
| Dawn raids were carried out at 38 Southampton properties, 15 in London, one in Slough, Berkshire, and one in Solihull, West Midlands, on Wednesday. | Dawn raids were carried out at 38 Southampton properties, 15 in London, one in Slough, Berkshire, and one in Solihull, West Midlands, on Wednesday. |
| The operation was the biggest ever pre-planned raid by Hampshire police. | The operation was the biggest ever pre-planned raid by Hampshire police. |
| It follows an 18-month investigation into the supply of class A drugs, money laundering, theft and firearms crime. | It follows an 18-month investigation into the supply of class A drugs, money laundering, theft and firearms crime. |
| The raids, carried out by police officers and staff and specialist house entry teams, are the third phase of Operation Phoenix. | The raids, carried out by police officers and staff and specialist house entry teams, are the third phase of Operation Phoenix. |
| We have kicked your door down once, we will do it again if we have to Steve Watts, Assistant Chief Constable | We have kicked your door down once, we will do it again if we have to Steve Watts, Assistant Chief Constable |
| Hampshire Constabulary said 45 people were being held in custody at police stations across Hampshire. | |
| Anyone arrested outside of the county in connection with the raids would be transferred into Hampshire Police custody, a spokeswoman said. | Anyone arrested outside of the county in connection with the raids would be transferred into Hampshire Police custody, a spokeswoman said. |
| The London arrests were made in the west of the capital, Tottenham, Sutton and Croydon. | |
| Asst Ch Con Steve Watts, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the number arrests was expected to rise significantly during the day. | |
| Speaking directly to those who have not yet been arrested, Mr Watts said: "You will know by now you are wanted. | Speaking directly to those who have not yet been arrested, Mr Watts said: "You will know by now you are wanted. |
| "We have kicked your door down once, we will do it again if we have to and we will find you. | "We have kicked your door down once, we will do it again if we have to and we will find you. |
| "Save yourself the trouble, hand yourself in now." | "Save yourself the trouble, hand yourself in now." |
| He said a large amount of property had been seized, but at present no firearms had been found. | He said a large amount of property had been seized, but at present no firearms had been found. |
| Following the first two phases of Operation Phoenix, in October 2005 and January 2006, a total of 88 people were convicted of a variety of drugs and theft offences. | Following the first two phases of Operation Phoenix, in October 2005 and January 2006, a total of 88 people were convicted of a variety of drugs and theft offences. |
| The operation followed an intelligence-led investigation run by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. | The operation followed an intelligence-led investigation run by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. |