Sussex police have "picked off" 11 dealers in a major operation to clear the streets of hard drugs.

Most of the peddlers, convicted as part of Operation Vengeance, have been jailed since it launched in Eastbourne early last year.

Their total jail terms amount to more than 20 years for supplying hard drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine.

Operation Vengeance has involved undercover police officers posing as drug buyers to catch dealers in their illicit act.

Chief Inspector Peter Mills, Eastbourne's district commander, said he is honouring the pledge he made on his transfer to Eastbourne to "pick off" dealers one by one.

Mr Mills said that, in addition, more than 100 drug warrants have been executed in Eastbourne, helping bring about a large fall in crime in most areas.

Burglary was down by 40 per cent, car crime by 35 per cent and robbery has been cut by 40 per cent, which police believe is partly as a result of the warrants.

In the meantime, Mr Mills said he will not relent in his fight to banish more drug dealers from Eastbourne.

He said: "Others will continue to be targeted and arrested by every legitimate means I have at my disposal. The pressure will be unrelenting.

Mr Mills' hard-line approach has drawn praise from many quarters, including residents' associations and community leaders. Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson described him in the House of Commons last month as "a no-nonsense, experienced police officer determined to adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime".

The 11 dealers sentenced because of the operation are:

ROHAN WILLIAMS, jailed for two years. Faced ten charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin. To be deported at end of sentence
NATALIE TICHBON, jailed for 15 months. Charged with supplying Class A drugs
ROBBIE ROBERTSON, jailed for two years. Faced seven charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin
JOANNE KING, imprisoned for three-and-a-half years. Faced five charges of supplying heroin
REBECCA ELDRED, jailed for three years and 11 months and banned from driving for three years. She was charged with five counts of supplying heroin, driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance
HAYLEY BATTERSHILL, jailed for three-and-a-half years. Faced three charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin
DONNA HEARNE, jailed for 18 months. Faced three charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin
TRACEY DENYER, jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years. Faced two charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin
MATTHEW CLARK, jailed for two-and-a-half years. Faced two charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin
RICHARD THOMPSON, received a nine-month drug treatment and testing order for supplying heroin
JOYCE JOHNSON aka SIMONE CAMPBELL, jailed for 15 months for supplying Class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of drugs. To be deported at end of sentence.