POLICE carried out a series of stop and search checks in Chudleigh as part of a targeted ‘Pubs Against Drugs’ operation last week, resulting in a quantity of suspected illegal drugs being seized.

The activity was led by the Ashburton & Chudleigh Neighbourhood Policing Team on Friday, June 19, during Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action, a national initiative highlighting the work of local officers and Police Community Support Officers.

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Passive Drugs Dog Skye, alongside specialist handler PC Steve Waters, supported the operation.

They were joined by members of the Special Constabulary, the Neighbourhood Support Team, licensing officers, and Teignbridge District Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Officer.

During the deployment, officers focused on proactive stop and search activity in Chudleigh, which led to the discovery and seizure of a quantity of suspected controlled drugs.

Police said the searches formed a key part of efforts to disrupt drug use and supply in the area.

Alongside enforcement activity, officers also visited a number of licensed premises in both Ashburton and Chudleigh.

Here, they engaged with staff and customers to raise awareness of drug-related harm and reinforce the importance of keeping pubs and bars drug-free.

Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Jo Gilbrook said stop and search powers were an important tool in tackling drug-related crime and protecting communities.

‘Proactive operations like these play an important role in disrupting drug use and dealing’, she said.

‘Drug misuse can contribute to anti-social behaviour and violence, so it is vital we take action to safeguard our local communities’, she added.

The Week of Action ran from June 15 to 19 and showcased neighbourhood policing work across the country.

Police are encouraging anyone with concerns or information about drug dealing to report it via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or through local community messaging channels.