TWO people from Cheshire are among those arrested after a police blitz on organised crime.

Officers have carried out dawn raids at 13 properties across Merseyside as part of an operation to tackle serious and organised crime.

Warrants were executed at properties in Wallasey, Speke, Wavertree, Garston, Litherland, Kirkby, Dovecot and Hunts Cross in the early hours of Thursday, May 3.

At the same time warrants were executed at homes in Widnes and Nottingham following a 12-month operation into the supply and distribution of Class A and B drugs and firearms offences.

12 men and one woman have been arrested - nine are from Merseyside, two from Cheshire and two are from Nottinghamshire.

Two handguns and a shotgun have been recovered from a property in Nottingham and searches of the properties are ongoing.

During the course of the investigation 13 firearms, a Taser gun, two improvised explosive devices, more than 200 rounds of handgun and shotgun ammunition, two kilos of heroin a third of a kilo of cocaine and multiple recoveries of Class B drugs (cannabis) has all been recoved.

There have also been more than 30 cash seizures - at just one address officers recovered £38,500 in cash.

Chief superintendent Mark Wiggins, said: “The action taken by officers this morning is the culmination of a 12 month operation targeting those involved in

"The investigation was put in place after members of the public raised concerns about drug dealing in their communities.

"Sadly, sometimes those involved in the supply and distribution of drugs will resort to using firearms to protect their illegal trade, or to resolve petty disputes, as we have seen in the last couple of weeks.

"I would like to reassure that the public that we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in serious and organised crime and we are committed to making our streets safer for our communities.

"No-one should have to put up with drug dealing, and the associated crime it brings.

"We will work together with our communities to improve the quality of life in our neighbourhoods and make our communities stronger."

Detective superintendent Lee Turner said: “Merseyside Police is relentless in its pursuit of those involved in serious and organised crime and we will continue to target those who disrupt the day-to-day lives of decent, law abiding members of the public.

"On occasions, as we have seen recently, some of those who are involved in serious and organised crime will use firearms to protect their illegal activity, or to create fear and intimidate rival groups.

"They have no regard for members of the public and we will not stand by and let them use weapons on our streets.

“I want to reassure our communities that we are committed to tackling gun crime and pursuing those involved in serious and organised crime and are investing significant resources to pursue offenders and put them before the courts.

“But I also want to make it clear to those who are involved in serious and organised crime that there is no place for them on our streets and we will do anything within our power to put them behind bars.

"Anyone who is involved in this type of criminality can expect a visit from us in the coming days, weeks and months.”

Anyone with information about serious and organised crime can contact the force social media desk @MerPolCC, or by calling 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.