A team of almost 30 police officers and two invaluable sniffer dogs hit Canterbury city centre’s streets on Saturday night in a crackdown on illegal drug use and supply. Reporter Dan Wright joined the operation

It has just gone 7pm and sniffer dog Bob is happy.

The lovable chocolate Labrador has just caught scent of drugs in a city centre bar – and he’s about to get his reward.

“We look for dogs that are very play driven,” says Bob’s handler PC Paul Diddams.

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“They do it for their ball and if we get drugs, you see us throwing tennis balls around the High Street.

“That’s not us mucking around, it’s all a big game for the dogs.”

Nine-year-old Bob will be retiring next year, but as he rolls around on his back in the middle of the path, clenching his bright yellow ball, it is as if he is just starting out.

“We have no targets for success,” PC Diddams, 35, explains.

“Ultimately people having a safe night in the town would be a successful operation.

“People say it’s really nice to see you out – and that’s a success in itself.”

The eight-hour operation is classed as passive, with the dogs sitting calmly by anyone they’ve been drawn to by a familiar scent.

Sergeant Lee Thompson, who only moved to Canterbury three weeks ago after working in Folkestone, is in charge.

“In the lead-up to Christmas it’s a lot busier in the city centre,” he says.

“It’s a two-pronged aim to target any drug use in the city centre, as well as the high-visibility aspect; preventing violence in the night-time economy and making the public feel safe.

“If we don’t find many drugs, then obviously that’s positive, but we will deal with whatever we come across.”

Bob is joined on patrol by fellow sniffer dog Piper.

The 18-month-old German shepherd is on her maiden operation – the polar opposite of her experienced four-legged friend – but nothing fazes her.

She has been with Kent Police since she was just seven weeks old, while Bob was gifted to the force by his previous owner.

All sniffer dogs undergo an eight-week training process, with officers introducing the smell of drugs to them.

Once they understand what is needed of them, it only takes two months of training from the 29-strong dog unit before they can hit the streets.

The animals never come into contact with drugs during training and, although it may be her first time out, Piper barks just once all evening with PC Paul Bassett by her side.

“We want dogs that can reach around the pocket area,” PC Diddams adds.

“A spaniel is smaller and wouldn’t get to the target area – we need to get to where people are likely to put stuff.

“Canterbury has got an active night life; it certainly hasn’t got a drug problem.

“These operations go on all over the place – this isn’t just a Canterbury-led operation.”

With the trusty canines in toe, the 30-officer operation heads to Oaten Hill Place.

On arrival at the Old City Bar, the plain-clothed spotters go ahead, leaving the rest of the officers just 30 seconds behind.

Ensuring no one in the pub makes a dash for it, the officers then call in the sniffer dog team.

Only one dog is used at any one time allowing the other handler to watch over their colleague.

PC Diddams explains: “The other person is playing a just as important role because they are watching for the safety of the other officer with the dog – he is watching your back.

“Most people don’t want drugs in pubs – it’s only the minority that do.

“People know that recreational drugs lead to violence later.”

The Old City Bar is all clear, so St George’s Place is next up as the team swoop on the city bus station.

As Sgt Thompson warns his team to be mindful of anyone they see trying to run after catching sight of the dogs, Bob finds cannabis on a 17-year-old, who is still under investigation.

There is another find in Butchery Lane before our time on the operation – which continued until midnight – draws to a close.

Only Rhys Quinn, 20, of Sycamore Avenue, Aylesham, was arrested.

He was later charged with possession of cocaine, while another man in his 20s, from Dover, was found in possession of cannabis and given a formal warning.

A car was also stopped in Kingsmead and a small bag of cannabis found near the vehicle was seized, but no other drugs were found.

VIDEO: Out on patrol with Kent Police's sniffer dogs

Officers also stopped a vehicle in Wincheap and the driver was reported for having no insurance.

“Our intention on Saturday night was to be highly visible and to send out a clear message that illegal drug use and supply will not be tolerated. We felt we got that message across..." - Sgt Thompson

Outside Canterbury, the drugs dogs and officers also visited a Herne Bay pub, acting on anonymous information from a member of the public. No drugs were found or arrests made.

Reflecting on the operation, Sgt Thompson said: “Drug use and supply often goes hand in hand with violence and anti-social behaviour and this can have a highly detrimental effect on people’s quality of life.

“Illegal drug use and supply is one of our key targets and the operation’s objectives were to disrupt and identify those who commit offences in and around licensed premises, making Canterbury a safer place to be.

“Our intention on Saturday night was to be highly visible and to send out a clear message that illegal drug use and supply will not be tolerated. We felt we got that message across.

“We also want the public to feel reassured that we take their concerns regarding drug misuse seriously and deal with it appropriately, and urge them to contact us if they have any concerns.”