AN AIR pistol stashed in a child’s school bag were among the weapons found as police raided an Upper Stratton home linked to drug dealing.

Officers also discovered live shotgun pellets in the Ruskin Avenue home, together with white powder believed to be cocaine, cannabis plants and leaves, and small plastic bags used to deal drugs.

The warrant had been signed off by magistrates following tip-offs that those living in the house were dealing drugs to children.

A constable was kicked in the face by an 18-year-old man during the raid on Saturday morning. The teenager was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Two other people are to be questioned by detectives at Gablecross Police Station.

PC Rob Dent of Swindon North Community Policing Team, said: “We are committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, particularly those who sell drugs to children.

“We will also not tolerate assaults on police officers and staff, who are going about their job protecting the community and should not be subject to abuse or violence.

“I want to reassure the public that when we receive intelligence about drug dealing we will act swiftly to seize items and make arrests.

“Please contact police if you have any concerns about drug dealing in your area. Your information can be treated confidentially if you would prefer, we just need people to tell us what is going on in their neighbourhoods.”