FIREARMS and drugs were found at a house in Bream as police acted against a suspected organised crime group.

The raid on the house in Parkend Road part of Operation Wingspan which saw 32 warrants issued and 20 people arrested across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

Police say they discovered two firearms and 41 cannabis plants at the address in Bream while executing a warrant in connection with an alleged serious assault in a Hereford pub.

An arrest was also made in Feathers Drive, Lydney and a man arrested in Penyard-under-Wye near Ross in connection with the same assault. Three men have been bailed on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm to appear at Hereford magistrates next month.

Other arrests made during the operation were in connection with possession and supply of class A and B drugs, burglary, dangerous dogs and a suspected stolen motorbike.

A man arrested in Redmarley, has been charged with a burglary at the Bromyard branch of McColls in August and has appeared before Hereford magistrates.

Two men and a woman were arrested at addresses in Old Market Close, Ross-on-Wye. The men have been released on police bail in connection with possessing Class B drugs, while the woman has been bailed in relation to owning a dangerous dog.

West Mercia Police say the Operation Wing­span is one of the largest police operations in recent years and aimed to disrupt organised crime.

Superintendent Ivan Powell, policing commander for Herefordshire, said: "Operations like these aren't simply about putting people behind bars; they're about disrupting the activities of suspected criminals and making it more difficult for them to commit crime.

"Arresting people, searching their addresses and seizing items – such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones – all help to achieve this aim and send a clear message to those involved in crime that we will not hesitate to act upon the information we receive from the public so that we can protect them from harm."

He added: "We have received some very positive feedback from people in the communities we visited, with residents thanking officers for taking action.

"In return I would like to thank residents for their co-operation while we carried out the raids and I hope our strike day will give them the confidence to call us in the future if they have any concerns about crime in their community."

Barrie Sheldon, West Mercia's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) commented: "It is encouraging to see West Mercia Police taking positive action."