Pub sniffer dog patrols under way

The police sniffer dog patrols will continue in pubs in future

A police operation has started in south west Scotland to send sniffer dogs into pubs to search for drugs.

A total of 13 bars were visited by patrols in the Stranraer area as part of the initiative.

A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary confirmed that no drug offences had been detected in the first phase of the operation.

However, he said that more random searches were planned with the full backing of local licensees.

Sgt Jim Hendrie said the patrols, which took place earlier this month, had received only "positive responses" from the public.

"It gives people who are out enjoying themselves a sense of reassurance," he said.

"The fact that we did not recover any drugs is very encouraging - it shows that the problem is not as rife as some people might think within our local pubs.

"We will continue with this initiative on a random basis to keep everyone on their toes and illegal drugs out of our licensed premises."