POLICE have arrested five people and seized suspected hard drugs after a tip-off from members of the public worried about “suspicious activity” in a Southampton street.

Officers were called to Hill Farm Close, near Hill Lane, at around 3pm yesterday, where they arrested a 32-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of intending to supply class A drugs.

A 29-year-old Southampton man and a 39-year-old woman from West Drayton, Middlesex, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, while an 18-year-old London man detained on suspicion of possessing a class A.

The West Drayton woman was stopped and arrested as she drove along the M3.

All five are currently being questioned at police stations in Hampshire by detectives from the team running Operation Fortress – a two-year crackdown aimed at cutting drug-related violence in Southampton, which has now seen 14 arrests since its launch on May 30.

Officers also recovered a quantity of what is believed to be Class A drugs, which has now been sent off for forensic analysis.

DS James McMann said: “Our message is clear, if you are involved in any way in Class A drugs supply, we will identify you and we will make life very unpleasant for you.

“Operation Fortress aims to make Southampton a hostile environment for those involved in this criminal enterprise and to send out a clear message that Hampshire is not a good place for them to pursue their trade.

“Working closely with members of the community is integral in assisting us in combating drug related violence in the city and we want the public to know that they can speak to us with confidence, knowing that we will act when evidence is available to support drug related activity within their neighbourhood.”