Nine arrested in Staffordshire organised crime investigation

Nine people have been arrested as police raided seven properties as part of an investigation into child exploitation and organised crime.

More than 50 officers carried out warrants at addresses in Kidsgrove and Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire on Friday.

Class A and B drugs were seized along with zombie knives, cash and items linked to drug dealing.

Five men and four children were arrested following the raids, Staffordshire Police confirmed.

Four men from Kidsgrove, aged 24, 22, 21 and 19, and a 27-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, human trafficking and modern slavery.

Four boys from Kidsgrove, aged from 14 to 17, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

All of them remained in custody while the investigation continued, police said.

Det Ch Insp Amy Martin said: "We are determined to make Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent an extremely hostile environment for those hell-bent on exploiting children in this way. We will not tolerate it."