POLICE smashed open doors across Taunton today – as a series of raids saw 12 people arrested and drugs and stolen goods recovered.

In Taunton, five people were taken into custody on suspicion of possession of class B drugs with intent to supply and handling of sto-len goods following a raid in Noble Street.

Three men were also taken away from a flat in Eastwick Road on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

One woman was arrested and bailed on suspicion of drug cultivation, after a haul of suspected cannabis plants was discovered at an address in Musgrove Road.

Another woman was ar-rested at a house in Leycroft Road on suspicion of possession of class B drugs and handling stolen goods.

And a man and woman were also arrested under the Proceeds of Crime Act, following the search of an address in Outer Circle.

After the raids, Chief Supt Daimon Tilley told the Gazette: “This day of action sends a strong message to the public and criminals.

“Firstly, it shows we are relentless in making the public feel safe and secondly it demonstrates that we are relentless in pursuing criminals and bringing them to justice.

“The raids were conducted as a result of information from the community and it shows just how valuable their intelligence can be.”

The day of action coincides with the police’s Operation Relentless summer campaign – other initiatives include truancy sweeps in Taunton and Wellington, tackling illegal fly-tipping in Bishops Hull and off-road biking around the Quantocks, as well as monitoring pubs during the football World Cup.