A senior police officer has said how disappointed he and his team were by criticism from members of the public reported in last week's Shepton Mallet Journal.

The comments were made after two daylight morning drugs raids made by officers in the town two Tuesdays ago.

In both cases police found the homes empty – but they later arrested a woman from one of the homes and she was given a caution for allowing controlled drugs to be produced on her premises.

Following the incidents the Journal was contacted by residents who criticised the police for carrying out the highly visible raids in broad daylight – and claimed they had given occupants time to be alerted and flee.

One resident called the operations "an absolute fiasco" and "a shambles".

Now Inspector Mark Nicholson, the officer responsible for the Mendip area, has expressed his disappointment at the negative comments in the Journal which were critical about the way the operations were executed.

He confirmed that Shepton officers were not involved in either operation.

He said: "When one is conducting such operations numerous factors and risk assessments must be taken into consideration and these then dictate what methods are used at what times of day.

"However, I am delighted that the residents of Shepton Mallet are taking such a keen interest in our operations and it clearly indicates any problems involving drugs are a real concern for them.

"It shows they take the problems very seriously – as we do – and are as keen to stop them as we are. We must harness this feelings of concern in our communities by encouraging all residents to provide us with as much information and intelligence as possible so we can continue in our relentless pursuit to bring offenders to justice.

"We need to work with the public in solving these problems and we need information.

"I would urge anyone with information to come forward and tell us. I would reiterate that anyone can ring Crimestoppers anonymously at any time."

If you have any information about the people involved in the cultivation or supply of drugs, contact Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000, or you can anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – they never ask your name or trace the call.