STUDENT pubs have been  visited by sniffer dogs in a  police crackdown on drugs.

Popular student venues, including Exeter University’s   Lemon Grove and Ram Bar,  were targeted by Exeter police as part of their Pubs  Against Drugs initiative.

Various quantities of drugs  were recovered in the operation over the weekend.

And police have issued a  warning to students at the  start of a new university year  that they will not tolerate  drugs in the city.

Revellers attending the  Grooverider gig on Friday at  the Lemon Grove, on the university’s Streatham campus,  discarded drugs as officers descended on the venue.

And two people were arrested after the police sniffer  dog detected drugs on them.

Sergeant Dan Hall, of Exeter’s Partners and Communities Together (PACT), said:  “We have raised our concerns  to the premises’ manager following the seizures at the  venues on the university campus that they are being used  for drug taking.

“The police licensing team  will be following up these concerns with the management.

 “The message to students at  the beginning of a new university year and term is that  drugs will not be tolerated.

“We will conduct regular  patrols on both student pubs  and city pubs to combat drug  use.

“We are working closely  with the Student Guild on this  and they are very supportive  of what we are doing.”

Around 20 people were  searched by police at the  Lemon Grove. Four fake £20  notes were found discarded  within the venue.

Two people were arrested  for possession of a white power believed to be cocaine and  were  bailed to attend Heavitree Road Police Station, in  Exeter, while two people were  issued warnings for possession of cannabis. Exeter Commander John Vellacott said:  “We have visited the student  bars to set the tone for the  university year and instil  the  message that it is not acceptable to use and take drugs.

“If we get in early at the  start of a new university year,  students know that we mean  business.”

Drugs were also recovered  at the Queen Victoria, in Tudor Street, the Devon Yeoman, in Beacon Lane, and the  Stoke Arms, in Stoke Hill.  Other city bars visited by the  team of officers included the  Angel, in Queen Street,  Vaults bar, John Gandy’s and  the Chevalier.

Most pubs have welcomed  the initiative. Manager of the  Angel Emma Sewell said:  “This is the first visit we have  had from the police as part of  this campaign and I think it’s  a good idea.”

Police will carry out more  Pubs Against Drugs operations in the coming months.