PLAIN clothed and uniformed police officers with sniffer dogs were at Ipswich railway station tonight as part of their latest crackdown against drugs.British Transport Police carried out spot checks of passengers looking for anyone possessing an illegal substance.

PLAIN clothed and uniformed police officers with sniffer dogs were at Ipswich railway station tonight as part of their latest crackdown against drugs.

British Transport Police carried out spot checks of passengers looking for anyone possessing an illegal substance.

A total of 15 officers, along with three sniffer dogs - one of which was from Suffolk Constabulary - carried out the operation, which is still ongoing.

They made six arrests, detaining two people in custody for further investigation and issuing four with warnings in relation to unlawful possession of cannabis.

It follows a similar operation in October when nine people were arrested.

Detective inspector David Aiton, of British Transport Police, said: “From our point of view it's been an effective and successful initiative. There is nothing to suggest that there is more of a drugs problem at Ipswich than at other railway stations but you do get the people travelling from London and historical intelligence does suggest that there has been trafficking of drugs in the past.

“However tonight has been very encouraging and our recent initiatives like this have had a significant impact in terms of disrupting activity.

“We work together with the railway industry and Suffolk Constabulary to share information and make sure the travelling public feel safe and secure.”