Eleven people were arrested as police raided the homes of suspected drug dealers.

Warrants were executed at four addresses in Wellington Square, Cornwallis Gardens and Priory Road, Hastings, yesterday.

Operation Vertigo, involving covert surveillance and intelligence gathering, was set up to combat street dealing in heroin and cocaine.

Detective Inspector Tim Nunn said: "It was a successful operation and our inquiries are continuing."

He said officers and police community support officers would be carrying out high-profile patrols of areas in the town where dealing has been taking place.

Vertigo was launched in July after it became clear street dealing was on the increase in Hastings and an organised group of suppliers was involved.

Yesterday's operation was the beginning of the arrest phase of the operation which will continue for the next few weeks.

Mr Nunn urged drug users: "Now is the time, while your supply line is disrupted, to seek help to address your habit. The substance misuse action group, part of the Safer Hastings Partnership, is aware of the operation and the medical assistance to help you will be available. You have to ask for it by referral through your GP or contact Addaction on 01424 426375.

"We realise some residents have had to put up with the problem of street dealing during the summer period. We can assure them we were dealing with it but it sometimes takes time to address the long-term issues. Please continue to contact us, if necessary confidentially via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, so together we can make Hastings a safer place to live."

Sussex Police will next week launch a publicity campaign, Rat On A Rat, aimed at encouraging residents to contact Crimestoppers with information about dealers and their activities.