A team of volunteers have been praised for leading a number of police drugs raids in Gateshead .
Special constables assisted officers who were executing five pre-planned warrants over a two-week period at properties across the area last month.
The team carried out two of the raids at addresses in Winlaton where they recovered a quantity of Class B drugs.
Their invaluable work has been recognised by neighbourhood sergeant Warren Sturrock from Northumbria Police who has extended his thanks to the team, praising their dedication.
He said: “I would just like to thank every one of you for your support over the last few weeks.
“To all those special constables involved in this job, you are a credit to yourselves for giving up your spare time to support the force and for assisting the organisation.
“This was an outstanding piece of work from all those involved.”
He added: “Special constables really do play an important role in helping us to keep the communities we serve safe.
“They are involved in a whole range of activity, whether that be carrying out pre-planned patrols or helping tackling serious and organised crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel.”
Special constables have the same power, uniform and responsibilities as full-time police officers but volunteer on a part-time basis.
They also receive the same level of training as other frontline officers.
