Police dogs visit Dartmoor schools to educate students on safety and drugs

Staff and students at secondary schools in Newton Abbot and Ashburton welcomed two special canine visitors this week, learning about the work police dogs do to keep communities safe.

Passive drugs dogs Jasper and Skye, along with their handlers and the Ashburton & Chudleigh Neighbourhood Policing Team, visited Newton Abbot College, Coombeshead Academy, Teign School, South Dartmoor Community College and South Devon University Technical College this Monday (9 March).

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The visits were educational, giving students the chance to see the dogs in action and understand their role in policing.

Devon and Cornwall PC Jo Gilbrook said:

“We want to reassure parents this was about sharing knowledge and not a targeted search operation. Schools have their own behaviour policies meaning that staff can search students’ bags, if required,” she explained.

ABOVE: A Devon and Cornwall officer and police dog at Teign School, Newton Abbot (Image: D&C Police)

“Our aim this week was simply to engage with young people, build understanding around policing, and showcase the important work of our police dogs.

“A big thank you to the staff and students who welcomed us into their schools, it was a pleasure to meet them.”

Drugs dogs in the Devon & Cornwall Police area assist officers in specialist operations, including initiatives like Pubs Against Drugs (PAD), which take place across licensed premises to keep customers safe.

For updates from the local policing teams, follow Ashburton & Chudleigh Police on Facebook.