POLICE say a two-day stop-and-search operation in Salisbury that uncovered 0.2g of cocaine (worth £10) was a success.

Officers cracking down on drug and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour also seized just over an ounce of cannabis (worth £200 to £300) and two knives in the city centre.

Local officers patrolled with a dog handler and sniffer dog Patch on Monday and Tuesday.

The police admit they found only a "small quantity of drugs" during patrols at The Foyer, Alabare, Clarendon House and Herbert House.

City centre beat manager PC Tracey Holloway said: "The use of controlled drugs contributes to anti-social behaviour in the city centre and we want members of the public to be able to go about their daily business safely.

"Anyone found in possession of drugs or weapons should expect to be dealt with robustly."

During the operation, sniffer dog Patch stood next to any suspects, giving officers grounds to search them under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Over the two days, 20 people were stopped and searched.

  • Four penalty notice disorders were handed out for possession of herbal cannabis.
  •  Two people were invited for interview for possession of herbal cannabis.
  •  One person was invited for interview for possession of class A drugs n One person was arrested for possession of a bladed article.
  •  Two knives were seized.
  •  In total, 32g of cannabis and 0.2g of class A drugs were seized.

A similar operation is planned for the near future.