A MAJOR crackdown on known drugs dens has seen an increase in the number of dealers being arrested.

More than 250 officers raided hotspots in Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot and Reading on July 19, 2016 as part of Operation Rickon, clamping down on criminal activity called cuckooing.

Police believe London-based gangs send runners to the town and other areas in the Thames Valley to scout vulnerable drugs users whose homes are then used as a base to sell class A drugs.

Taking their house keys, the gang then run their illicit business from the property giving the occupants no say in what goes on or who visits.

“Operation Rickon has had a significant impact, disrupting and prosecuting organised criminals preying on vulnerable local class A drugs dealers,” Superintendent Rob France told the News.

“As part of this operation 53 people were arrested and 33 have been charged. Our increased focus is reflected in the higher overall number of drug trafficking offences recorded last year, 96 year to date compared with 70 for the same period last year.”

Officers smashed their way into dozens of homes after 26 search warrants were executed as part of the operation that saw the huge number of arrests, seizing drugs and charging 19 people.

“I am confident our significant activity in this area has been effective and that our communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are safer as a result,” Superintendent France added.

“However I do not shy away from the need to continue the focus in this area, ensuring that the impact of our work is sustained.

“Intervention and support for vulnerable drug users and the disruption of organised criminal activity, alongside robust enforcement, was central to that operation and remains a crucial part of our local strategies.

“Building on strong local partnerships and working with our communities we will continue to strive to make what is undoubtedly a safe place to live and work even safer.”