Organised crime was targeted an early-morning raid in Mortlake today.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said it believes a London-based organised crime group is targeting vulnerable drug users near Bracknell whose homes are used as a base from which to sell Class A drugs.

The process, known as ‘cuckooing’, involves gangs sending ‘runners’ to take the keys from the drug users, enabling them to conduct their business from their homes.

Chertsey Court in Mortlake was raided at 6am on Tuesday, July 19.

TVP’s head of serious and organised crime unit, DS Nick John said: “Once the runners have entrenched themselves, these vulnerable residents have little or no say in what takes place at their premises, or who visits.

“This enables the organised crime group to expand their operations into more rural areas, setting up a secure base and using runners to conduct day-to-day dealing whilst control of the ‘business’ is based in their own locality.

“The illegal drugs trade has a devastating impact on a community and the operation today is part of the Thames Valley Police crackdown on such criminal activity.

“We have also been working with our local partner agencies to offer support to those affected by the illegal drugs network.”

Thames Valley Police arrested 19 people on suspicion of drug offences in a series of raids across London and Bracknell, including ones in Thorneloe Gardens, in Waddon.