WORCESTER police have arrested a teenager after raiding a house and seizing a “substantial amount” of cannabis.

The Arboretum local policing team executed a warrant in Washington Street at about 10am yesterday. Officers have said the raid was a direct result of residents’ complaints about anti-social behaviour linked to the alleged supply of cannabis from the address.

Sergeant John Lawrence, who took part in the swoop, said: “It is now standard practice for local policing teams to undertake drugs-related warrants when their supply and/or use is directly linked to anti-social behaviour in a particular area.

“Complaints of anti-social behaviour locally linked to the supply of cannabis from this specific address were made directly to the police and to the regular PACT (Partners And Communities Together) meetings.

“Today’s action by officers and community support officers again demonstrates that positive steps are taken when members of the public come forward with genuine concerns.”

The youth was taken to Worcester Police Station and later released on bail while enquiries continue.

Minutes after the warrant was executed, CSOs Kylee Berry and Poonan Parmar began delivering reassurance letters to residents in the Arboretum.

The letter, from local policing officer PC Paul Green, said: “We were aware of concerns raised about the high volume of visitors to this specific address in Washington Street and the perception that the premises were being used to deal drugs.

“We acted on this by obtaining a warrant – under the misuse of drugs act – which was then executed. We appreciate the intelligence provided by local residents and are pleased to report a positive response.”

The police action comes at the start of a nationally advertised and promoted month-long programme, ‘Justice Seen Justice Done’, which runs from tomorrow until Sunday, December 20.

It aims to highlight the work of local policing teams – including the 32 covering Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon.