SATURDAY night drug-users were targeted in a police operation in Stockton.

Officers took part in Operation Lumberjack, to clamp down on people in possession of drugs in pubs and clubs.

A select team visited 12 licensed premises in the Stockton area on Saturday, between 7pm and 11pm, with a drugs dog, trained to identify people in possession of illegal substances.

As a result of the operation, a 40-year-old man was arrested and charged for possession of a Class A substance. Three men aged 39, 37 and 27 were given street bail and were due to attend custody to be interviewed on suspicion of possession of illegal substances.

The operation was not targeting specific licensed premises but people who are under the influence of illegal substances, sometimes in venues that attract families and children. Licence holders support such operations across Stockton.

Sergeant Daniel Trippett said: "This operation reflects the intelligence-led and proactive approach that we take in order to remove illegal substances from the streets. We will continue to work alongside our local partners to break the cycle of drugs misuse, bring people to justice and offer support to those who need it."

Street bail powers allow officers to arrange for people to attend the police station at a pre-arranged time for process and is a proportionate way of dealing with first offenders.