Kent Police’s East Kent Schools Team and Dover’s Youth Engagement Officer spent time during the Easter holidays patrolling areas frequented by young people to engage with them.

Officers carried out patrols of the town following concerns that young people were being offered drugs in Deal.

During the afternoon of Thursday 7 April 2022, the Schools Team attended Park Avenue where a person ran away when officers approached him. He was found nearby and following a search, a quantity of cash and wraps of cannabis were seized.

A 15-year-old boy from Deal was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply. He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Dan Bartlett from the Schools Team said: ‘This is excellent work by my officers and Dover Community Safety Unit to disrupt criminality and also safeguard those at risk of being led into county lines and exploitation.

‘This is also great evidence of intelligence led policing which has removed drugs from the streets and prevented other youths from potentially using cannabis and being drawn into gang related activity.’