A SUSPECTED drug dealer who is in the UK illegally has been arrested by Worle police thanks to the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

Speaking yesterday (Monday, May 13), a North Somerset Neighbourhood Policing spokesperson said: "Some good news this morning.

"On Wednesday, Worle beat officers patrolling around Winterstoke road using the automatic number plate recognition system (ANPR) were alerted by the system that a vehicle had intelligence that it was being used to supply Class A drugs.

"Upon stopping the vehicle, the suspect was detained. Officers searching the suspect located a quantity of cash. The vehicle was then searched and suspected class A drugs were located concealed within the car.

"Further research also identified that the suspect was in the United Kingdom illegally. We contacted our partners at Border Force who are dealing with this element of the investigation.

"Suspect arrested, partner agencies notified, drugs and cash seized, disruption to the supply of class A.

"The suspect was taken to Bridgwater custody where the investigation was progressed by our colleagues from the Bournville team. Our colleagues from patrol executed several property searches across Bristol and Somerset.

"Yet again, the new ANPR camera has proven invaluable in identifying criminal activity in our area. We know this vehicle was involved in the supply of Class A drugs in Worle and across the Weston area.

"Once again, we thank the community for providing us with the relevant information as this stop was generated by intelligence given to the Police by you.

"We need your continued support to keep identifying these criminals and allowing us to target them and get them and their illegal wares off our streets.

"Your local beat teams are working together and working hard to proactively identify, target and disrupt the supplies of drugs across Weston. This is a complex and difficult task with the limited resources we have.

"You are a vital part of our mission to make Weston a hostile place for criminals to operate in. Together we are making Weston a safer nicer place to be.

"The message to the criminals is clear, we are watching, we are looking, we are seeking you out."