POLICE with sniffer dogs are to carry out random drug sweeps at a Kent grammar school after cocaine was found on the premises.

Officers were called to Norton Knatchbull School in Hythe Road, Ashford, when a small plastic bag of white powder was found by a member of staff on stairs. Analysis of the powder revealed it was cocaine.

Swab tests were then carried out on areas in the school which were identified as potential drug-taking spots.

Last Wednesday and Thursday special assemblies were held for students from all years except Year 7, when police and senior staff warned about the dangers of drugs.

Police and drug detection dogs, which pick up the scent of illegal substances, will now be making random visits to the school.

PC David Archer, who took assembly, said: “The school and police will decide what year group or areas we target.”

Last week’s tests were conducted outside school hours without students being aware they were happening, PC Archer added.

Head teacher John Speller said the school was taking the incident very seriously and and stressed: “It is not something we have come across before but we will deal with it robustly

“The vast majority of students here would share our distaste for any involvement with drugs.”

But he said it was unlikely he would be able to find out who the drugs, which were found in September, belonged to.