The shock discovery of a teenager thought to be planning to peddle drugs has prompted Wickford police to step up the battle against the evil menace threatening schools.

Officers say they are prepared to respond rapidly to the issues raised after the 14-year-old was stopped and searched, as part of an on-going police anti-drugs initiative.

After picking him up they expressed their sheer "surprise" at the youngster's young age and his possible intentions.

Pc Geoff Whiter of Wickford police said: "We were surprised that such a young person would be involved in the supply of cannabis.

"We believe he would have been intending to try and sell it on to other school children."

But PC Whiter also stressed that he believed the case should not be over exaggerated as it is thought to be an isolated incident.

He said: "Just because he is a schoolboy doesn't mean there is a problem in the schools in our area."

He did however vow that police would continue to carry on fighting to keep the drugs menace away from schools.

He said: "We have liaised with our school officers who will bring to the notice of local schools the concerns of the police and the community."

The youth was one of 13 people targeted in just the past month for the special spot and stop searches by police determined to step up their efforts to stamp out the ugly drugs culture.

The youngster, who was found to be carrying 13 grammes of cannabis, was later cautioned and released without charge because of his age.

Wickford Police say they are constantly updating their drugs education material and monitoring the national media to ensure they are getting their message over to schoolchildren as effectively as possible.

The education programme is part of a wider scheme to combat the threat of drugs in the area.

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