POLICE this evening raided an Edgware pub where they say drug dealing has led to anti-social behaviour.

Police vans lined the road outside The Change of Hart, in High Street, as around 60 officers, most from the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG), stormed the venue, searching customers and making several arrests.

Sniffer dogs were brought in and police believe they have found Class A drugs, including ecstasy, as well as cannabis.

Inspector Steve Tysoe, of Harrow Police, said: “Harrow Police has been asked by the public and the licensee to deal with the problems at this pub and it's our intent through our actions tonight to give that pub back to the people of Harrow and improve their quality of life.

“We will always deal with any call for help from the public in situations like this.”

There have been several violent incidents in Edgware recently and officers believe drugs have been the catalyst.

Some customers have been seen coming out of the pub's toilets with white powder around their noses and others have been openly smoking cannabis in the beer garden.

Inspector Tysoe said: “I cannot believe the stupidity of some people, one for doing drugs in the first place and secondly for leaving the evidence on their faces when they walk back into the pub.”

Councillor Keith Ferry, a member of the Labour administration, said: “I thought the amount of planning that went into this operation was incredible.

“Particularly the amount of work that goes in beforehand and the way they got in here. There was no shouting, there was no force, they just walked in as if they were a large coach party.

“I think the other purpose of this sort of operation is to send a message that this sort of drug dealing isn't going to be tolerated any more.

“If you are going to be doing it you can expect 60 more than you catered for on a Friday night.”

Full details on the numbers of arrests, cautions and people facing charges are likely to emerge in the coming days.

The pub will remain closed until Saturday evening.