Residents tell of relief as police make three arrests

Hundreds of cannabis plants, rooms covered in compost and bundles of cash - this was the scene inside two houses in the Black Country.

Police raided two homes in Hudson Road, Tipton, and discovered drugs with a street value of £40,000.

The officers, some of whom had sniffer dogs with them, found hundreds of cannabis plants, scores of bin bags filled with the drug, and a large amount of cash, heroin and Ecstacy. They also filled two skips with drug paraphernalia and growing equipment.

Neighbours on the Denby estate today said they had seen people visiting the house.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I have been frightened to come out of my house some days.

"There were always different people coming in and out of the houses at all hours. It is reassuring to see the police are taking action to make it safer for people like me and my family who live and work here."

About 15 police officers raided the homes, which are two doors apart from each other, at 7.30am yesterday.

A 29-year-old man was arrested for cultivation of cannabis.

Two men, aged 31 and 28, were arrested for possession of Class A drugs.

Insp Dale Randle said: "We need more people to come forward and tell us about crime in their area so that we can stamp out crime in Tipton for good."

The warrants were secured after officers received tip-offs from the local community.