Police in Eastbourne have seized a huge batch of cannabis plants during a crackdown on court evaders.

Operation Knuckle has yielded more than 50 arrests in the Eastbourne and Hailsham area in three days.

About 50 officers have been assigned to the week-long operation and our reporter joined them yesterday as they mounted a series of swoops.

They found the cannabis plants crammed into two upstairs rooms at one house in Eastbourne.

Officers seized 11 large bags of the Class B drug along with specialised growing equipment including lighting and fertilisers.

Other seizures have included 15 bars of cannabis resin, worth several thousand pounds.

Police said many of the tasks were connected with DNA "hits".

One suspect was snared after leaving a drop of blood at the scene of a smashed window.

Last month letters were sent to criminals warning them a warrant had been issued for them. They were invited to contact police before they were hauled in.

Sergeant Steve Tullett said: "This operation is the follow-up to the letter drop. This is an ongoing operation which so far is proving successful."

Inspector Tim Piloni, of Hailsham Police, said: "Our concern is for people who have gone through the criminal justice system but who have not been dealt with completely.

"It may be that these people are wanted in connection with other offences. So far we are very pleased."

Sgt Tullett said: "Now we have got the ball rolling we are not going to stop. This is just the start and there will be knock-ons thereafter."