Police carried out two drugs raids in Shepton Mallet on Tuesday morning last week. But no one was in – though one person was arrested later and cautioned.

Local residents have contacted the Journal and criticised police for carrying out the highly visible raids in broad daylight at different times – giving accomplices time to alert targets.

One angry Shepton resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It was an utter shambles – they hit the first address and found no one in. And by the time they came out of there and hit the second, that person there was well aware there was a drugs raid going on in the town and had made a speedy exit – and they found no one and nothing.

"Everyone is talking about it and saying what a fiasco and what a waste of manpower and a completely wasted opportunity. And I know one person who went down the police station and had a right go and said whoever was in charge of this absolute shambles should apply for a cleaner's job, rather than try and organise a drugs raid here again.

"Once the police riot van was seen outside one place in broad daylight, the second person was tipped off and fled. They should hit them at 5am when they are in bed and asleep."

After being made aware of the residents' criticism, Avon and Somerset Constabulary issued the following statement: "We executed a drugs warrant just after 10am on Tuesday, August 17 at an address at Tipcote Hill, Shepton Mallet.

"Police gained entry into the property but no one was in the house. A short while later, a 44-year-old woman was arrested in the town centre on suspicion of the production of a controlled drug.

"She was taken into custody and interviewed and was subsequently given a caution for permitting the production of a controlled drug on her premises.

"On the same day, the police also executed a drugs warrant at an address at St Paul's Mews, Shepton Mallet, shortly before 1pm. However, no one was at that address.

"But having taken this action, police are sending out a strong message that they will not tolerate any misuse of drugs in Shepton Mallet."

The Shepton Mallet Journal understands it was not local Shepton officers involved in this operation.

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