A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply and a possession of an offensive weapon in Salisbury.

Police stopped and searched a group of four youths at the Cheese Market on Monday, June 3 at 11.15pm.

Another 16-year-old was reported for possession of a small amount of Class B drugs.

The other two youths, aged 17 and 14, were returned home to their parents.

In response to recent incidents where knives have been used to cause injuries the city's community policing team (CPT) officers will "proactively use powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act to stop and search for weapons".

Acting Sergeant Rachel Gunn said: "Our use of stop search powers will be proportionate and linked to specific intelligence regarding a small group of youths in Salisbury that are suspected of carrying weapons along with other youths that they are associating with.

"You can see only too clearly in London the devastating effect of gangs of youths carrying knives and with several recent stabbings in Salisbury involving youths, we will use all available powers to target those suspected of having weapons or involving themselves in criminal activity.

"When we search juveniles we will endeavour to return them home and update appropriate adults about our reasons for stopping and/or searching them but with a rise in London based gangs using young people to supply drugs in the local area, known as 'County Lines', I would also encourage parents to know where their children are and who they are with, along with educating them about the dangers of carrying a knife."

New sentencing guidelines mean those caught in possession of a knife can face a mandatory prison sentence which can apply to youths aged 16 and 17.

Anyone with information about drugs supply or people carrying weapons can contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or anonymously via crime stoppers on 0800 555111.