POLICE are on alert in Weymouth after a large bag of drugs was found hidden in a graveyard in a dawn raid.

A package containing a 'large quantity of white powder' was uncovered during a search by officers after a group of people were seen acting suspiciously around Weymouth Cemetery off Abbotsbury Road at Westham early on Saturday morning.

The powder, which was found hidden in a tree, has been sent away to a laboratory for tests. Police say if it is a controlled drug as they suspect it has a street value of about £1,000.

An appeal has been made for further witnesses in a bid to trace those involved. No arrests have been made.

Inspector Pete Browning of Weymouth police said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who has information about the drugs or the people involved.

“Two of the people seen going into the graveyard at the time are described as black men - no other descriptions are available.

“All calls will be treated with the strictest confidence.”

The discovery came after a member of the public reported seeing several people coming and going from the cemetery and acting suspiciously around 6am on March 1.

Dorset Police said officers conducted a thorough search and found a package, containing a large quantity of white powder believed to be a controlled drug, concealed within a tree.

Community safety spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Geoff Petherick said: “Drug supply is something the police have been working very hard to combat and the clean-up record in particularly the Park District has been tremendous and I applaud the force's efforts on this.

“Obviously any help the public can give to police regarding the war on drugs will be welcomed.”

Witnesses and anyone with information about the drugs found in the cemetery and the people involved should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 01:93. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.