THREE men have been arrested after a drug deal was reported taking place in a children’s play area in Harnham.

Shortly after 3pm yesterday (Thursday) police responded to reports from members of the public who spotted to men aged 21 and 32, in suspicious circumstances which they suspected to be related to an ongoing drug deal.

When the pair were detained, the 21-year-old attempted to run off and was pursued by officers back towards the town centre. He was subsequently detained by officers with assistance from further members of the public.

Both men were searched and found in possession of a quantity of individual wraps suspected to be class A drugs along with items suspected to be indicative of an involvement in drug supply such as mobile phones.

As a result they were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, escape from lawful custody and being concerned in supply of class A drugs.

A further male, aged just 15, was found in Lower Street and arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

The 15-year-old has been interviewed and released pending further enquiries. The two other men remain in police custody.

Inspector Pete Sparrow said: “This was an excellent example of members of the public working with their local police in order to keep their community safe and I would like to thank those members of the public who assisted us yesterday.

"These individuals had travelled from out of our county, we believe with the sole intention of supplying crack cocaine and heroin onto our streets.

"This is an enterprise commonly known as ‘County Line’ drug dealing and it is something which we simply will not accept. These dangerous drug networks and the poison they supply are destroying lives and damaging our communities and we are committed to stamping them out.

"We would always urge members of our communities to report suspicious activity and always welcome information in relation to these gangs and their activities. Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

Call 101 to report suspected drug activity.