THESE are the ugly weapons seized in dawn drugs raids by armed police, one a machete hidden inside a sofa as officers make a string of arrests.
This arsenal, including a handgun, knuckledusters and large machetes, is now off the streets of Worcester and out of the hands of alleged criminals.
One senior detective, based at Worcester Police Station in Castle Street, said the seizures this morning reflected the threats faced by officers daily when arresting those suspected of dealing drugs.
Suspected class A drugs were seized at an address in Southfield Street and several arrests have now been made in a day of action by West Mercia Police as they struck two addresses at the same time, the second in Warndon.
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These photos show weapons seized in Southfield Street, Arboretum and Chedworth Drive, Warndon as West Mercia Police continues to tackle drug dealing across the city, including severing the lines of supply from County Lines dealers operating from bases in bigger cities.
Their task remains to stop any potential dealers setting up shop in Worcester and to prevent homegrown dealers from joining the trade.
Senior officers and judges in the city say drugs fuel other crimes including burglary and theft by addicts who need to fund their habit as well as having a devastating impact on the health and welfare of drug users themselves.
DI Dave Knight of West Mercia Police said the large machete was found tucked inside a sofa in Southfield Street.
DI Knight of South Worcestershire Offender Management and Proactive CID, said: "This is a good example of the dangers police officers face on a daily basis when arresting drug dealers."
He added: "Three local adults are under arrest for drugs offences which includes one from Chedworth. Various offensive weapons have been seized including a Taser, machetes as well as firearms that may be imitations but will need to be tested."
DI Dave Knight said: "South Worcestershire Proactive CID officers continue their battle to keep drugs out of the area."
DI Knight also shared a video, explaining what had happened and offering reassurance to the wider community after armed officers were seen in the area.
In the video he said: "Residents within the Southfield Street area of Worcester have been aware that in the early hours of this morning we executed a warrant and an address within the street.
"Firearms officers were used during the execution of that warrant. Quite often firearms officers are used where there's perceived risk to the community, to the officers that are entering that property or the individuals within that property.
"The warrant was executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Within that property were a number of individuals. At the same time as this a warrant was executed we were also in the Warndon area, in the Chedworth Drive area of Warndon, where we have arrested an individual in possession of class A drugs and a search continues.
"The community need to be reassured that there is no wider threat to them.
"The individuals within the property have been detained for searches."
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