Eight people were arrested as more than 120 police officers carried out a second series of drugs raids today.

The majority of people were detained on suspicion of supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

Nine search and arrest warrants were executed and eight arrests made at addresses in Crawley and Horsham.

It is the second major operation to be carried out in as many weeks.

Eight people were charged with drug offences following raids in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath last month.

Chief Superintendent John Dransfield: "The day certainly has been a success.

"The operation will be extremely effective in disrupting the trade in heroin and crack cocaine, in cutting the flow of drugs in this part of the county, thus offering some respite to our communities."

Mr Dransfield promised further arrests and operations.

Crack cocaine is cut with baking powder, often formed into one-gramme "rocks" which sell for about £20.

Research shows that heroin users smoke, inhale or sniff it as a "treat" when they have sufficient funds available, often spending £200 to feed their habit.

The operation forms part of the force-wide response to the escalating crack cocaine problem in the county, Operation Sceptre.

This operation is taking early action to prevent the problems of crack cocaine growing to the levels currently identified in other major UK cities.

Support for the operation came from both Michael Coughlin, the new chief executive for Crawley Borough Council, and Ian Scotland, a Sussex Police Authority member, who accompanied officers on one raid.

Mr Scotland said: "We've had briefings from the chief constable but it's very different and most impressive when you see officers at ground level fighting this evil trade for the good of all of us."