SEVERAL arrests have been made following operations by police investigating drug-related crime in Tunbridge Wells.

For three days this month, officers in uniform and plain clothes visited key locations in the town and carried out stop searches where there was a possible presence of drugs. Dogs trained to detect drugs accompanied them.

Sgt Howard Chandler, of the West Kent Police Drugs Liaison Unit, said: "The purpose of this operation was not just about making arrests. We wanted to use it to let people know that we are active in fighting drugs in the area.

"This operation comes towards the end of a longer campaign we have been conducting against the dealing and use of crack cocaine.

Since September, six people have been remanded in custody for the supply of class A drugs and another four are currently on bail while inquiries continue."

Tunbridge Wells Conservative MP Archie Norman said: "The town has a low but present drug-related crime rate, but there is no escaping the fact that there is a problem that has to be tackled head on."