TACKLING drug issues is a top priority for police in Andover, the town's police inspector said.

"Reducing the harm that drugs cause in Andover is our highest priority.

"County lines drug networks exploit the vulnerable, and destroy lives.

"We are working every day to stop them," Inspector Taylor posted to Twitter.

His comments come after a record number of arrests were made nationally in a week-long push to tackle county lines drug gangs.

Officers arrested 743 people and seized drugs worth over £400,000, 12 guns and dozens of other weapons.

The operation, by forces across England and Wales, resulted in the "disruption" of 49 "deal lines", police said.

Overall, 652 men and 91 women were arrested, the highest number in any week of co-ordinated police activity against county lines gangs.