Police found several knives and arrested a suspected London drug dealer in a popular Gorse Hill park yesterday.

The 20-year-old man was arrested in St Mark's Recreation Ground on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He was taken to Gablecross Police Station and later released under investigation.

Earlier that day, police officers were patrolling the park when they stopped six men, searching them under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Police seized phones and cash, as well as finding a number of knives.

Half-an-hour later the officers returned to the park and searched another two men. One was the London 20-year-old arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

Sergeant Georgia Green said: “The park was filled with families with young children at the time. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable – play parks are for children to play in a safe environment and this incident will no doubt have caused concerns amongst the local community.

"We will continue to patrol areas where we have information to suggest drug dealing is taking place.

“A number of mobile phones, cash, and the knives have all been seized and a thorough investigation has begun by the dedicated crime team."

Wiltshire Police have asked that anyone with information about drug activity contacts them by calling 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.