County lines: Arrests and drug seizures in West Yorkshire

Officers visited schools to warn students about the dangers of getting involved with County Lines gangs

West Yorkshire Police arrested 28 people and seized £15,000 worth of Class A drugs as part of a national operation targeting county lines gangs.

Four machetes and an axe were also recovered, alongside mobile phones and £11,000 in suspected criminal cash.

Officers also took into safety 12 vulnerable people who were being exploited by criminals, the force said.

There were also extra patrols at bus and rail stations and by mounted officers outside prisons in the region.

Many of the searches were at addresses where the occupants were believed to be the victims of "cuckooing", where the homes of often vulnerable people are taken over by criminals, police said.

There were also visits to schools to warn students about the dangers of getting involved with drugs gangs.

Det Insp Janet Little said she was pleased at the arrests and drug and cash seizures.

"We have worked with partners and third sector organisations to engage with vulnerable people and ensured that those people are safeguarded," she said.

"The week of activity was carried out as part of Programme Precision, which is West Yorkshire Police's response strategy to tackle the serious and organised crime that can be a blight on our communities."