A DRUGS warrant was executed in Sidford by police last week as part of a force-wide Day of Action .

A DRUGS warrant was executed in Sidford by police last week as part of a force-wide 'Day of Action'.

The Sidmouth Neighbourhood Team, assisted by the Exmouth Targeted Policing Team, raided a property in Lower Brook Meadow.

They found a quantity of suspected Class B drugs and a 47-year-old local man is currently helping police with their enquiries.

Sidmouth Police used the 'Day of Action', also known as Operation Everest, to target priorities set by residents such as road safety and anti-social behaviour.

Officers mounted a road watch in problem spots, including Sidford Road in Sidmouth, Sidford High Street and Newton Poppleford High Street.

Some 38 drivers were caught by police in these locations committing traffic offences ranging from speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, failing to wear a seat belt and numerous vehicle defects.

Sergeant Andy Turner, of Sidmouth Police, said officers aimed to educate drivers rather than penalise them unless the offence was of a serious nature.

But he was disappointed to see a number of motorists and cyclists trying to warn other road-users of the vehicle checks.

He said: "The reason we are doing this is to protect vulnerable people on the road such as cyclists but some of these people were doing their bit to warn people.

"I know people have a natural instinct to warn others of checks but next time they consider doing that they should think first. They might be giving someone with serious defects on their car advance warning and later that day they could cause a serious crash."

Sergeant Turner added that people caught trying to obstruct police from carrying out their duties can be arrested and officers are planning on mounting more vehicle check operations.

Most of the people dealt with for road traffic offences during Operation Everest, which took place on Wednesday, October 14, were local said Sergeant Turner.

He added: "It is their neighbours and friends who complain to us about speeding vehicles. The message we are pushing is that we want the roads to be safer and we can only do that if local people, as well as visitors, co-operate with us.