Two people arrested on suspicion of drug offences following report of 'erratic driving'

Two people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences in Amesbury yesterday (19/5) following concerns about the manner in which a vehicle was being driven.

Just after 5pm, officers were called by a member of the public who was travelling behind a black BMW from High Post on the A345 northbound towards Amesbury. The caller reported the vehicle was being driven in an erratic manner.

Shortly after, officers spotted the vehicle and brought it to a stop in Porton Road. The vehicle smelt strongly of cannabis. A drugs search was conducted and a takeaway tub full of cannabis was located in the front seat footwell, while messages were found on a mobile phone which indicated drug dealing had been taking place.

A further search was conducted at an address in the Tidworth area in connection with the incident and further drugs and drug paraphernalia was located.

A 21-year-old man from Perham Down was arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, drug driving and possession of a class B drug and an 18-year-old woman from Larkhill was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class B drug.

They were taken to Melksham custody for questioning and have been released under investigation while enquiries are ongoing.

Sgt James Osment said: "Thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public who initially reported their concerns, our officers have been able to stop the vehicle and arrest two individuals.

"This incident happened at rush hour – it is a miracle that nobody was injured as a result of the standard of driving. This is an example of why it is so important that the public report information to us so we can take action quickly and prevent what could have potentially ended in a collision and innocent members of the public being injured.

"Drug driving is classed as one of the fatal four, which means that it is one of the main causes of serious injury or fatal road traffic collisions. We will continue to patrol the county's roads and take action against drivers who fail to abide by the law."