DAWN raids cracking down the supply of Class A drugs across Reading have seen nine people arrested with a machete and drugs seized from homes.

More than 100 Thames Valley Police officers took part in a targeted operation at 12 addresses.

Officers smashed their way in to homes across the town including addresses in Tilehurst and Caversham as part of Stronghold - a campaign against organised crime across the Thames Valley.

"This will have a really significant impact on drug dealing and organised crime in Reading," said Detective Chief Inspector Darran Hill from Thames Valley Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

"The hard work starts now because we need to support the communities."

James Upton, deputy local policing area commander for Reading said: "There was a significant amount of police resources at a number of addresses this morning where 12 warrants were executed and nine people have been arrested.

"A quantity of drugs have been recovered and a machete. We have already have had some significant success on this operation.

"Today there will be people who will be looking for their supplier of drugs and they won't be there.

"These will be vulnerable people who will need our help.

"We have partners in place to help them today."

Groups including Ra hab, St Mungos and Iris will be helping vulnerable people confront and overcome their addictions.

Liz Terry, lead member for neighbourhoods on Reading Borough Council said: "The people who use take these drugs are often vulnerable and we need to work together to keep people in Reading safe and support them.

"There will be people looking for their next fix and we all have to work with them. Today we have made sure we have support for them in the town centre."

Neighbourhood support officers will be patrolling Reading to reassure communities with the Stronghold van on display around Southampton Street.

Drug rehabilitation and outreach services will be staffing the First Stop bus which will be in Broad Street to help anyone needing support.