Drug dealers targeted in County Durham dawn raids

A major police operation targeting suspected drug dealers in County Durham has resulted in 15 arrests.

More than 200 officers carried out simultaneous early morning raids across the county as well as in Leeds, Liverpool, Shropshire and Manchester as part of Operation Russett.

Durham's chief constable Mike Barton has called for Class A drugs like heroin and cocaine to be decriminalised.

He stressed his battle was with dealers and not drug users.

Cannabis, amphetamine and three vehicles were also seized in the County Durham raids.

Look North's Stuart Whincup reports.