Crackdown on school bus dealers

Police have had reports on drug dealing on school buses

Dealers are believed to be using school buses to sell drugs to teenagers, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.

The force said criminals were preying on vulnerable youths and getting them to sell drugs on their way to school.

Plainclothes officers are to be used on some bus routes in Truro, Newquay and Camborne to gather intelligence.

The crackdown comes after a number of complaints received by police of drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Sgt Chris Manuell, who is leading the operation, said the problem was not just restricted to one or two schools.

"It might be a low-key approach with a plainclothes officer on the school bus, it might be more, but that will depend on resources," he said.

"Certain people are preying on young kids, they have identified a market and we are getting reports of drug dealing on school buses."