But they also accept there will always be demand for drugs, and Chief Superintendent Colin McCashey said the operation “is in place for the long-term benefit of the community”.

This will include taking out closure orders to remove anti-social neighbours, helping those involved in prostitution get off the streets and additional patrols are being carried out.

“Operation Waterloo is in place for the long-term benefit of the community,” Chief Superintendent McCashey said.

“It is about upholding the rights of law-abiding people to live in relative peace and quiet and making it absolutely clear to those who choose a life of criminality or anti-social behaviour that their actions will not be tolerated.”

Research indicates between £1.8 million and £2.6 million is spent annually on heroin in Dundee, much of it financed though crime, the black market economy and prostitution.

Particular problems with drugs and related criminality were identified in the Hilltown and Stobswell areas, prompting the launch of Operation Waterloo.

During the enforcement phase, some 50 officers were deployed over two days to execute arrest and search warrants.

Acting on intelligence gathered over several weeks, police arrested 20 people and recovered “dealer” amounts of heroin as well as substantial sums of cash.

Maryfield-based Sergeant Ron Brown said, “We want to send out a message that we are here to stay. The people we deal with move on, but others take their place and I don’t think we will ever resolve it. It’s a battle — but we are up for it and we are now reaping the benefits.”

Enforcement activity continues as a result of the detailed picture that has been built up over the dealing and abuse of Class A drugs.

Chief Superintendent McCashey said while it was important arrests were made, and were seen to be made, he wanted the public to be aware police were concerned about the needs of the community over the longer term.

“We will be continuing to use the intelligence we have gathered in recent weeks to target all criminal activity, notably those surrounding drug-dealing and drug-related behaviour and repeat offenders in particular,” he said.

“Our uniformed officers will be out on the streets in numbers to provide a highly visible presence and I hope that residents take the opportunity to speak with them and raise any issues or concerns they have in their community.”

The divisional commander said a mobile CCTV van would be deployed regularly in support of patrols in the Hilltown and Stobswell areas.

The force is keen to gather information about anti-social neighbours “to help build a case against anyone who is causing misery in the street where they live”.

Closure orders will be sought, in conjunction with the city council and other agencies, against those who persist in anti-social and criminal behaviour.