DRUGS-RELATED raids carried out by officers in Walcot have been praised by the police and crime commissioner.

Angus Macpherson praised said: "This is great proactive work carried out by the neighbourhood policing teams, not only curbing this type of criminality but also sending the right message to the actual people living in local communities that the police are taking your reports and intelligence seriously.

"Drugs on all levels - whether taking or dealing - not only destroy lives but ricochet affects throughout our towns and villages - hitting innocent people.

"This work is part of that bigger picture to tackle crime in Swindon and Wiltshire."

Signs of drug dealing include an unusual number of people visiting a house or flat 24/7, drugs paraphernalia left outside, or tenants and home owners having an unusually lavish lifestyle. Call the council to arrange for a safe clean-up of drugs equipment - do not touch it, just make a note of its location and report it.

Signs of a possible cannabis factory include lights being left on all day and night, curtains constantly drawn or windows blacked out, a strong pungent smell and high humidity in the property, different people coming and going at strange times, visits by people for short periods, venting protruding from the roof and the constant sound of cooling fans.