A DRUGS dog was used to sniff out illegal substances in Wallingford and Didcot over the weekend in a bid to crackdown on crime.

Seven officers descended on five pubs in Wallingford and district on Friday night and four in Didcot on Saturday night to catch offenders red handed.

Pub-goers were searched in the Royal Standard, Green Tree, Dolphin and Boathouse pubs in Wallingford and the Miller of Mansfield in Goring.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and cautioned for possession of cocaine and a 29-year-old woman was given a formal street caution for possessing cannabis in the Green Tree. Outside the pub a 20-year-old man was given a formal street caution for the same offence.

At the Royal Standard a 28-year-old man from Moulsford was arrested and cautioned for possessing cocaine and cannabis. His house was also searched and officers found a small amount of what they believe to be cannabis.

In Didcot the Wheatsheaf, Broadways, Wallingford Arms and the Ladygrove were also targeted, although no arrests were made.

Supt Andy Murray, area commander for south Oxfordshire, said: "This operation was run jointly by the police and members of the Nightsafe initiative.

"We are pleased with results of the operation and will continue to carry out operations like this throughout areas in south Oxfordshire to crack down on alcohol and drug abuse and other related crimes."

Sgt Martin Jubb said: "The neighbourhood policing team are working closely with landlords and licensees across south Oxfordshire in a pro-active approach to help keep crime levels low in their areas.

"This operation is part of our zero tolerance approach to drug and alcohol abuse and there will be regular operations carried out in towns and villages across south Oxfordshire in the coming months."