POLICE arrested four people after smashing their way into a Bournemouth flat during a drugs raid.

Officers found “a large amount” of suspected heroin at the property in Southbourne at around 12.45pm yesterday.

Police are carrying out a two-week long crackdown after residents raised concerns.

Hear police carry out the raid at this link http://soundcloud.com/stevebaileyecho/police-raid

Police, helped by search dog Bernie, said they also found cannabis, hundreds of pounds in cash, scales, phones and other drugs paraphernalia at the property in Stourvale Road.

A 42-year-old man, a 52-year-old man, a 22-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis and Class A drugs with intent to supply.

A neighbour said: “You would see loads of cars pulling up and people knocking on the doors at all hours.”

Another neighbour said: “This is the second or third time it's been raided.”

The Echo joined police on the raid after a briefing at the station.

Police drove slowly to the property and parked out of sight then around 10 officers in body armour made a stealthy dash to the flat front door.

Officers broke down the door and spent about four hours searching the cluttered interior.

Sgt Billy Bulloch, who has been heading the two-week operation, said it has been focused on targeted plain clothes patrols but more raids are planned.

Officers have made around a dozen arrests and seized various drugs and almost £1,500.

Sgt Bulloch told the Echo: “We have mainly been focusing on street dealing to disrupt the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

“Today was a extremely successful.

“We found a large amount of suspected heroin.

“This is heroin that will never go on to the street. It doesn't stop – we are always looking to carry out more warrants.”