The police have explained why a number of officers and a police sniffer dog were seen in Helston and Porthleven on Thursday evening (March 14). 

Just after 9pm, a member of the public told the Packet that there were ‘about ten police officers’ walking along the harbour with police sniffer dogs.

It was also said that a police van and cars were also parked in various places near the harbour.

Officers then went into at least one pub in Helston, where a dog was sent in to sniff customers. 

Now it has been revealed by the police as to what it was all about. 

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said the reason officers were in these locations was part of an initiative to support members of the public for a safer night out.

A force spokesperson said: “The police presence was part of Safer Business Action Day – a 'Pubs Against Drugs' patrol.

“The visits were joint with licensing and involved a single drugs dog.”

It is not yet known if any arrests were made or further action taken as a result of the visits.

This isn’t the first time that officers have visited Cornish towns as part of this initiative.

According to the Devon and Cornwall Police Neighbourhood alert page, in December 2023, officers were seen in Liskeard, Saltash and Torpoint licensed pubs in the area to provide members of the public with a safer night out.

The operation was organised and run by Liskeard Sector Neighbourhood Teams, supported by Operation Servator Officers, student police officers, special constables, passive drug dog PD Skye and her handler PC Waters, and the police and crime commissioner.

Officers worked as a team upon entering the pubs and gave the following results:

LISKEARD

1. JJ’s Bar

No persons were stopped and searched but had positive engagement with the DPS. Both male and female toilets were wiped with indications in the male toilets only.

2.  The White Horse Inn

Persons stopped and searched but had positive engagement with the DPS (designated premises supervisor). Both male and female toilets were wiped with indications in the male and female toilets.

SALTASH

1. The Two Bridges

One person stop searched outside where the dog indicated a negative search. Positive engagement with the DPS. Both male and female toilets were wiped with indications in the male and female toilets.

2. Railway

No persons stopped and searched but had positive engagement with the DPS. Both male and female toilets were wiped with no indications in the male and female toilets.

3. The Brunel Inn

Nine persons were stopped and searched as a result of the reaction to the dog entering the premises. Positive engagement with the DPS.

Both male and female toilets were wiped with indications in both the male and female toilets.

Of the nine persons who were stopped and searched:

One arrest was made for Possession with intent to supply - which resulted in a further Section 18 (1) PACE search of the arrested person's home address and vehicle - enquiries are still ongoing.

Four persons were found in possession of controlled drugs, namely Cocaine and Ketamine, and will be dealt with by other means.

The other searches were negative.

TORPOINT

1. The Standard Inn

One person stop searched which was a negative search but positive engagement with the DPS. Both male and female toilets wiped with indications in the female toilets only.

2 The Wheelers

No persons stop searched but positive engagement with the DPS. Both male and female toilets wiped with no indications in the male and female toilets.

PC Dan Lewis, Neighbourhood Beat Manager with the Saltash Neighbourhood Policing Team, said at the time: "The policing presence promoted public confidence in a manner that is about making streets safer for night time economy.

"All the Premises Supervisors in the pubs were welcoming and happy to allow us to conduct what we needed to do. Any person found in possession was removed from the licenced premises and dealt with appropriately."