DRUGS and weapons were seized in a police operation targeting criminals using the rail network.

Christchurch and New Forest officers joined forces with colleagues from British Transport Police yesterday for the cross-border operation.

A spokesman for Christchurch police said drugs were seized and weapons and stolen property located as part of the operation.

It was the latest in a series of joint operations targeting those who use the rail network to commit crimes across different counties.

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Many of the offences are what is known as County Lines offences where vulnerable young people are used to transport illegal drugs across county and local authority boundaries.

Many such offences have been uncovered in Dorset and Hampshire with criminals taking over the homes of vulnerable people - known as cuckooing - for their illegal activities.

Police continue to carry out welfare checks in proerties across the area and have urged people to report any concenrs on 101.