POLICE with sniffer dogs carried out an operation in Faringdon and Wantage to sniff out drugs.

Pubs visited in Faringdon were: The Crown Hotel, The Volunteer, The Bell, The Wheatsheaf, The Folly Inn, Portman Bar, The Swan, and The Duke of Wellington.

PC Darren James, who was involved in the operation, said: "The landlords were pleased to have us there. We found a small amount of herbal cannabis on the floor of one of the pubs and carried out several searches."

The Goodlake Arms and The Royal British Legion were visited in East Challow. PC James said: "Both Landlords in East Challow were very welcoming and no drugs were found."

In Wantage The Swan, The King Alfred's Head, The Arbery, The Blue Boar and Bentleys were visited.

PC James added: "All the landlords in Wantage were happy with the operation. We carried a large number of searches including a taxi.

"The checks were carried out between 8pm and 12.30pm. There were no arrests and little evidence of drug activity was found in any of the pubs which was extremely positive news meaning that the message is getting out that drugs will not be tolerated by landlords in our towns.

"This is about working with our licensees as part of Nightsafe to ensure everyone has a safe night out in the Vale.

"We will continue these operations so anyone thinking of bringing drugs into the Vale should be aware that they could be sniffed out by our drugs dogs."

The previous week, the same operation was carried out in Abingdon.

Twenty-three searches were carried out resulting in six people being dealt with for drug possession offences, four street warnings for possession of cannabis and two arrests for possession of a Class-A drug. One man was arrested for a public order offence after being detained for a drugs search.

Police said the pubs visited were the Kings Head and Bell, The Venue, The Boundary House, The Stocks and The Plough in Sutton Courtenay.

Sgt Andy Cranidge, involved in the Abingdon operation, said: "The licensees of the pubs were pleased we had carried out the operation and encouraged more operations in the future.

"They condemned the use of drugs in their establishments and gave positive feedback about the operation."

Liz Hayden, Drug and Alcohol Project Officer for the Vale Community Safety Team, said: "We are very pleased that the partnership work between the Vale of White Horse District Council and Thames Valley Police is helping to drive home the message that drug activity will not be tolerated in licensed premises and we appreciate the cooperation that we have received from the licensees across the Vale."