VIDEO: Chainsaw used in dawn drug raids

PEOPLE suspected of supplying and controlling drugs received a frightening awakening today as officers used chainsaws to rip through doors and force their way into homes.

The raids were part of South Yorkshire Police’s Operation Catchall - a covert six-month investigation which has seen officers work undercover in the heart of a community in a bid to take class A and B drugs off its streets.

Leading the operation was Detective Chief Inspector Bob Chapman who said the aim was to disrupt drug supply in Eastwood.

Warrants were executed in Eastwood with four arrests today and three arrests on Monday (3) for the supply and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Det Chief Insp Chapman described Catchall as a “highly sensitive police operation” which has cost tens of thousands of pounds to implement and has gathered a “substantial amount of evidence.”

He added: “In Eastwood there is a significant problem with street dealing, which we know from our covert surveillance.”

He said the unusual step of using a chainsaw to gain entry was sending out a clear message to criminals, it’s also a method used on reinforced doors.

“I want criminals in Rotherham to be frightened, I want dealers to be looking over their shoulder.”

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