REDDITCH police reported a successful operation to rid the town centre of drugs on Friday when they used sniffer dogs to root out dealers for the first time.

Although nobody was caught with drugs, Sgt Gary Watson, of central sector, said half the battle was just letting people know there were dogs around.

High profile uniformed patrols used one dog and made three visits to the centre in the evening.

Sgt Watson said: "It is pleasing to see people have taken notice of the extra police presence and there were no reports of any drug dealing occurring in the town.

"The initiative has a two-fold effect. Obviously the dogs can sniff out someone with a bit of cannabis in their pocket, for example, and give us grounds for a search.

"But it also has a deterrent effect and keep these people out of the town centre.

"We want to make a safer environment as there are problems that go with this type of behaviour which we want to combat."

He added: "We shall continue to use this form of proactive policing to combat drug-related crime and if the situation demands, we will use dogs in other areas of the division."

Anyone with information about drug abuse or dealing can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Calls will be treated in confidence.