Six people were found in possession of cannabis during a crime-busting operation at Keighley Railway Station on Wednesday.

Police -- using a drug-detecting sniffer dog -- swooped on suspect passengers boarding and alighting from trains.

The six-hour venture, staged jointly by British Transport Police and colleagues from the West Yorkshire force, was part of Operation Collide, to stamp out crime on the Airedale line.

It will be repeated at Keighley and at other stations along the route.

One suspect held on Wednesday was arrested in connection with non-Drugs-related offences. The remainder of those found in possession of drugs were either cautioned or reported to appear in court at a later date.

A total of 15 people were stopped as dog handler PC John Mann and police sniffer dog Charlie patrolled all areas of the station. Sgt Dave Boldison, of the British Transport Police, said: "We were pleased with the results. We will be returning to Keighley and targeting other stations as well.

"Hopefully this sends out a very clear message to criminals."

He heads a four-strong team of officers dedicated to cutting crime on the line.

PC John Mann explained: "I've been working with Charlie for the past two years. Basically it takes about six weeks to train a dog up and they can recognise the smell of any controlled drug.

"I walk the dog around and give it a chance to smell people.

"If someone is carrying drugs then the dog just sits at their side."

PC Mann added: "It's then up to uniformed officers to take that person to one side and ask them some questions or take them down to the station if necessary.

"The dogs are very sensitive and can smell drugs on someone, even if they've not been in direct contact with them for 48 hours."

Colleague Sgt Michael Jackson said: "There has been an increase in drug related crime here over the last three years and our intelligence shows that the trains can be used for this sort of activity.

"We want to detect people carrying drugs on trains and show them that they are not welcome on the railway.

"We want decent people to realise this is something we are working to tackle and people who commit offences on the trains will be caught."

Operation Collide aims to cut car crime, robberies and anti-social behaviour at stations, and stamp out trespassing and vandalism on other parts of the line.

Regular high visibility patrols and non-uniformed patrols will now be carried out at Bingley, Crossflatts, Frizinghall, Keighley, Saltaire, Shipley, and Steeton and Silsden stations.

The officers will also be contacted by station staff and respond to crimes at any of the stations.

Sgt Jackson added: "As well as high profile policing like this we will also be working undercover.

"It is the first time we have taken action like this at Keighley and surrounding areas. But we hope that initiatives like this will move crime away from this area and Bradford."

l An anti-drugs campaign in the Lawkholme area last week has been hailed as a phenomenal success

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l Drugs were found hidden inside

a man's jacket and in the lounge of a flat during a police operation

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