Officers have seized thousands of pounds worth of heroin and other drugs, plus £10,000 in cash, cars to the value of £35,000, suspected stolen property and weapons – including guns and a crossbow – during raids at suspects' homes.

The arrests come after months of work by undercover detectives who posed as users in order to infiltrate the town's drug underworld, gather intelligence and then identify alleged offenders.

Det Insp Steve Osbaldeston said: "We have stemmed the supply of drugs in Chesterfield – it has seriously been disrupted.

"We know people are travelling out of the area for their supplies and we have road traffic officers on standby on routes in and out of Chesterfield who are picking them up as they come back in."

The raids have taken place across Chesterfield, including at homes in Newbold, Grangewood, Birdholme, Holme Hall and Brimington.

Fourteen of those arrested have been remanded in custody following appearances at court for drugs offences and a further eight have been charged and released on police bail.

The other cases are pending further enquiries or have been closed with no further action to be taken.

Despite so many arrests police say that the operation – part of the newly-relaunched Operation Relentless 2 – is not finished yet and that anyone who has been dealing drugs in Chesterfield this year could be their next target.

Det Insp Osbaldeston said: "If you are dealing drugs we apologise we have not got to you sooner but take my word for it, we are on our way."

Members of the public are urged to report incidences of drug dealing by calling police on 0845 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

helen.beighton@derbyshiretimes.co.uk