STAFF and students at secondary schools in Newton Abbot and Ashburton had two special canine visitors this week and learned more about police dogs and their work in the community.

Passive drugs dogs Jasper and Skye, along with their handlers and the Ashburton & Chudleigh Neighbourhood Policing Team, visited Newton Abbot College, Coombeshead Academy, Teign School, South Dartmoor Community College and South Devon University Technical College.

The visits, which took place on Monday, March 9, were purely educational, giving students the chance to see the dogs in action and learn about the important role the canines play in keeping our residents of all ages safe.

PC Jo Gilbrook explained: ‘We want to reassure parents this was about sharing knowledge and not a targeted search operation.

‘Schools have their own behaviour policies meaning that staff can search students bags, if required.

‘Our aim this week was simply to engage with young people, build understanding around policing, and showcase the important work of our police dogs.

‘A big thank you to the staff and students who welcomed us into their schools, it was a pleasure to meet them’.

Drugs dogs across Devon & Cornwall Police Force area assist officers in specialist operations.

One of the initiatives they take part in are Pubs Against Drugs (PAD) operations which happen take place across licensed premises to make checks and keep customers safe.

For updates from the local policing teams please follow Ashburton & Chudleigh Police on Facebook.