FOUR people arrested as part of a police crackdown on serious and organised crime in Birkenhead have been bailed.

Officers from Merseyside Police carried out drugs warrants at seven properties in Birkenhead and Rock Ferry on Friday morning.

A 17-year-old was among those arrested on suspicion of drug offences, as well as three others, aged 25, 27 and 38.

All four were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, cannabis cultivation, burglary, and other drugs offences.

Searches of the properties were carried out and officers have recovered a quantity of what is believed to be class A drugs, cannabis and a quantity of cash.

Inspector Nye Audas said: "This activity shows the community what can be achieved when we work together. 

“Today’s action is about disrupting criminal activity and showing the many decent people, who live in areas where drugs and serious organised crime have been an issue, that we are there for them.

"It is vital that the local community provides us with information about those involved in serious and organised crime. You need to help us build that safe environment for your families. Our commitment to you, is that we will take positive action against the information you provide us, actively targeting those who engage in such crimes, their families and their friends, which will ultimately provide you with a safer community.

"Merseyside Police is not prepared to let those involved in the distribution and supply of drug destroy good communities who should be able to go about their daily business without worrying that their young people may be drawn in to a violent world of drugs and serious organised crime.

"We are totally committed to tackling serious and organised crime and will relentlessly pursue those we suspect are involved in it. We will continue to work with other agencies to make life as difficult as possible for those involved in this type of criminality.

"We remain committed to disrupting all illegal activity and organised criminality, but cannot do this without the help of the local community. Information from the public is vital for us in the fight against organised criminality and gun crime and I would appeal to anyone who has information to talk to us.

"If you do not wish to talk to us directly you can always call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. We can't do this without the community and we need you to continue to give us information. We do not care how the information is provided only that it is provided. “