Watch: Seven arrested in Black Country dawn raids

One woman and six men aged between 20 and 48 are all being held on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

The sting is part of an intelligence led policing operation sparked by public concerns about crime fuelled by drug addiction across Sandwell. Further raids are planned in the coming weeks.

• 20-year-old man arrested from his home on Rollason Road, Erdington, Birmingham on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 23-year-old man from Inchcape Avenue Handsworth Wood, Birmingham arrested on Piddock Road, Oldbury, Sandwell on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 29-year-old man from Young Street, West Bromwich, Sandwell arrested on New Street, Hill Top, West Bromwich, Sandwell on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 38-year-old man arrested from his home on The Green, Darlaston, Wednesbury, Sandwell on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 41-year-old woman arrested from her home on Beacon View Road, Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich, Sandwell on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 47-year-old man arrested from his home on Queens Road, Tipton, Dudley on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

• 48-year-old man arrested from his home on Wellington Road, Handsworth, Birmingham on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.[/breakout]

Chief Inspector Jane Parry, from Sandwell Police, said: "Today we are sending out a clear message to criminals across Sandwell ? anybody who wants to victimise people will be a target for police.

"This operation is the result of months of hard work and is based on information from local people.

"With the first arrest phase now complete, our partners in the Sandwell Council's drug rehabilitation team, youth workers, the fire service and others, will now start working in the area to help provide support to the residents and make their community an even safer place to live and work.

"Local people don't want drug dealers on their streets and we are going to continue to act on their information to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour associated with drug dealing."

Codenamed Spring Safer Six, hundreds of police officers and police staff were involved in the operation which saw eight simultaneous 6am raids in Birmingham, Dudley and Sandwell.

Safer Six is a long-running Sandwell based operation to clean up the borough. The results of the operation have in part attributed to crime levels across the borough being driven to an all-time low.

The success of local officers in keeping people safer than ever has drawn national recognition. For the past three years Sandwell Police have been identified as the UKs number one for cutting re-offending rates by getting criminals to change their ways.

A robust programme of drugs treatment, peer-to-peer counselling and more have all successfully been put in place for those wanting get their lives back on track. Those who don't want to change, continue to be arrested and brought before the courts.

To report suspected criminals call police on 101 or pass information on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.