A man from Knebworth has been charged with drug and exploitation offences after police carried out raids on a Stevenage county lines gang.

On Tuesday, November 5, an operation led by Herts police's specialist county lines team, Operation Mantis, saw warrants executed in both Stevenage and Knebworth.

Officers arrested Jack Dempsey, 29, from Haygarth, Knebworth, and charged him with facilitating the travel of another to exploit, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, and remaining unlawfully at large following recall to prison.

Suspected class A drugs were recovered during the operation and a minor, believed to be a victim of criminal exploitation, was safeguarded during the operation.

"This operation targeted the 'Tony' drug line, which was operating in the Stevenage area," said a Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson.

"We will continue to take a very proactive approach to targeting drug dealing in the county, working with our partners in other agencies to make it difficult for these crime groups to operate, preventing new gangs becoming established and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur."

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.