More than 40 people have been arrested in a two-day sweep of drug dealers, burglars and car crooks across Brighton and Hove.

Crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and stolen property have been seized and weapons including coshes, knives, Samurai swords and a deactivated gun were discovered.

Bags of heroin worth at least £5,000 were discovered hidden in drains at one house.

The raids have been going on for 48 hours but police imposed a publicity blackout until tonight.

Operation Entry was one of the largest campaigns of its kind and formed part of the Safer Streets initiative, run by Brighton police and the city council and aimed at disrupting a hard core of villains.

Senior officers hailed the operation a major success and promised the public would notice a difference.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Vic Marshall said: "It has been incredibly successful and it will have a real impact on police performance and, hopefully, the public.

"There should be less burglaries, drug dealing and car crimes, especially if we can take our top suspects out of circulation for a long time."

The 41 suspects - 29 men and 12 women, all aged in their 20s and 30s - were arrested at addresses in Whitehawk, Moulsecoomb, Kemp Town, Hollingbury, Seven Dials and Hove.

More warrants were being executed in London to arrest suspects wanted for Brighton crimes.

Mr Marshall said: "It may seem small but stolen property is sold on quickly to buy drugs. Valuables are often exchanged for cash or drugs within minutes."

Cannabis plants growing in Pot Noodle pots were found at one address.

The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering by community and undercover officers.

Mr Marshall said: "This is just the start. There will be more operations throughout the summer."