A PUBS Against Drugs (PADS) Operation was carried out by Devon and Cornwall Police across East and Mid Devon on Saturday, April 24.

Police staff from across the local policing area, consisting of officers from the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Team, a dog handler, Neighbourhood Beat Managers, Special Constables, Licensing officers and local licensees, in partnership with the police, actively discourage the use of drugs on licensed premises.

The police visited a number of public houses in Honiton, Cullompton, Tiverton and Crediton.

A police dog was used to screen customers both inside and outside their premises.

Police say the dog is completely non-confrontational, yet will indicate to the handler if someone smells of illegal drugs by sitting next to them.

All licensees were supportive of the police action and minimal disruption was caused to their evenings.

Police Sgt Julian Pezzani of the Mid and East Devon PACT team said: "It is quite a labour intensive operation and we had more than 20 staff involved.

"It has quite an impact when three large police vans roll into a town, but we endeavour to make people aware of why we are there and what we are doing.

"On the whole people are happy to see us, and were especially pleased to see the dog.

"We searched a number of people and found both class 'a' and class 'b' drugs and as a result a number of people have been dealt with accordingly.

"We also gathered some very useful intelligence from speaking to customers and the licensees who were all glad to see the police pro-actively tackling any drug use.

"Overall, we are fortunate that we do not have a huge drug problem in this area but by use of operations such as this, we will endeavour to keep it this way."

Sgt Gareth Twigg from Crediton Police added: "We will continue to support licensees in their efforts to keep drugs out of their premises and further operations may be conducted in the future.

"We were grateful for the co-operation we received from the public."

If you have any information about drugs you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 - you don't have to give your name.