POLICE have searched two homes in Crewe as part of their on-going campaign against illegal drugs.

More than 20 officers were involved in the operation.

At one address in the West Street area they smashed windows and used an oxy-acetylene torch to remove a metal gate in front of the door.

Search teams were at the premises for three hours and a man was taken away for questioning.

Meanwhile, officers forced their way into a second house a short distance away and arrested another man.

Detective Sergeant Paul Done said: “Some property was recovered during the operation and the investigation will continue.”

Community Support Officers distributed leaflets to neighbouring homes to explain what the action was about.

DS Done added: “This type of activity can be alarming for people who live nearby but when we explain what is happening we find people generally understand why it is necessary and support it.”

Both men have been released on bail while the police inquiries continue.

This week Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe & Nantwich, told Parliament of how local residents had been working in partnership with the police to combat drug crime.

He also questioned Home Secretary Alan Johnson about how he was going to relieve the police of the burden of administration in fighting these crimes.

For example, closing a crack house remains an extremely complex and time-consuming administrative task.

Mr Timpson "I am pleased the Home Secretary acknowledges that his Government have a problem to solve here.

"As ever though, this is taking too long, and there is always some report or inquiry that has to be concluded before real action is taken.

"Why not take pragmatic action now?

"Only the other day I heard from a local policeman who said much of his job could be done by a secretary.

"He wanted to fight crime, not fill in forms!"