Four teenage boys have been arrested for dealing drugs and carrying weapons in Swindon.

Witnesses informed officers about a group of people wearing face coverings and behaving suspiciously near Theatre Square at around 3pm on Thursday, May 18.

When the police arrived, the teenagers ran off in different directions but were soon found and detained.

Police Dog Bracken helped the force find a machete, a lock knife, and five bags of cannabis behind a bin, and one of the youths had a substantial amount of cash.

After being arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs and possession of a bladed article, the four boys - aged 17, 16, 14, and 14 - were later bailed while police continue their investigation.

Inspector David Tippetts said: “There is no place for people carrying weapons in our communities and we recognise the community concern it is causing.

“Creating safer public spaces and tackling violence are force priorities and we will continue to work day and night to ensure those creating harm in our communities are caught.

“I’d also like to remind people that we are in the middle of Operation Sceptre – a national campaign raising awareness of knife crime.

“As part of this campaign in Wiltshire, we have put knife surrender bins in towns around the county until Sunday where knives can be deposited to encourage the public, particularly young people, to hand in their knives.

“While you may think you’re safer carrying a knife, it is not the case and I would encourage our young people who carry knives to please consider otherwise.”

Knife surrender bins can be found in Swindon's police station at Gablecross, Christ Church in Old Town, and Pinetrees Community Centre in Pinehurst.

As part of the national Operation Sceptre initiative, which first launched in 2015 and returned earlier this month, Wiltshire officers will be engaging with communities, working with young people to dispel myths around knives, and carrying out test purchases with retailers in a bid to stop people carrying the sharp and deadly weapons.

The police force hopes this operation will showcase the ways in which it is working to reduce knife crime and tackle violence, from the root cause to enforcement.

To report suspicious behaviour, call police on 101, visit wiltshire.police.uk, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.