Police who carried out a drugs raid at a Canterbury pub found just tiny amounts of cannabis.

Up to eight officers and two dogs executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the Gentil Knyght on the London Road Estate on Thursday morning.

But police left the detached Shipman Avenue building at around noon with little to show for their efforts.

Spokesman Jon Green said: “A very small quantity of cannabis was found but nothing of any significant interest. No one was arrested.”

Pensioner Evelyn Goldup, 77, has lived on the estate for 56 years and watched the drama unfold from her home in Knight Avenue.

She said: “I saw them all pull up and they tried to go in the front, but then they all went round the side and in the back way.

“I saw at least five officers and the golden labrador going in. But that was about it really. I think the police were last round there a few months ago.

“I only go in there on Monday nights to play bingo, which is quite nice.”
At about 11am a group of three people pulled up in a blue Metro and tried to enter the back of the pub.

They were then seen waiting at the side of the yellow-brick building, which is owned by Faversham brewer Shepherd Neame, as it was searched.

The pub has changed hands many times in the last few years and is believed to have been run by a group of bikers from Margate before the current tenants. It was also briefly a curry house.

People living on the estate came out of their homes to watch the raid. One woman dressed in pyjamas swore and gestured at newsmen.

Shepherd Neame’s webpage for the pub simply carries the Gentil Knyght’s phone number and address.

Under the section marked “Upcoming Events”, it reads: “There aren’t any events coming up.”