AN operation targeting drug dealers in Keighley and across the Bradford district has reached 70 arrests since it was launched a year ago.

Operation Swanpond has also led to the seizure of 17 vehicles, more than £7,000 in cash and a large quantity of drugs.

The operation is led by the so-called programme precision team at Bradford, assisted by Neighbourhood Policing teams and the West Yorkshire Police proactive intercept team.

Initially the focus was on Bradford city centre, using CCTV to target areas where drug dealing was believed to be taking place, but it has since moved into other areas of the district including Keighley, West Bowling, Shipley and Saltaire.

So far, 26 of those arrested have been processed through the courts, with sentences totalling 69 years and two months handed out.

The initiative is running in tandem with Operation Errantdance, which saw an undercover police crackdown on ‘ring and bring’ drug dealing, between January and July last year.

Detective Inspector Matt Walker, who leads the precision team at Bradford, said: “The supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in the Bradford district and it is targeted operations such as Swanpond and Errantdance that are helping to make a difference and removing these substances and the dealers from our streets.

“The assistance and support of the public is key to the success of operations like these and we would urge people to contact their local policing team if they have information about those who are involved, or are suspected of being involved, in the supply of illegal drugs, so action can be taken.

“I would also like to warn those who are supplying illegal substances that even though you might not see us, we can see you and we are coming for you.”