POLICE carried out a drugs raid disguised as Victorian carol singers.

The nine-strong team plus a sniffer dog chose the unusual method of dress as a way of getting access to the house in Upwey, Weymouth.

Armed with a Christmas lantern and CS gas and wearing top hats, cloaks and stab-proof vests they stood outside the front door singing seasonal hymns waiting for an answer.

When the door was opened the team burst in announcing they were police officers on a drugs raid. The operation resulted in Class A substances believed to be cocaine worth £400 being seized and two people being arrested.

Sgt Tony Smith led the raid with members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, a squad of West Weymouth officers who have been involved in a number of raids as part of the force-wide Operation Dismantle, which aims to stamp out drug crime across Dorset. The team have seized drugs and property and closed down crack houses in the town.

Section commander Inspector Tony Rudd formed the team this year as a way of directly responding to concerns from the community.

A police spokesman said: "It was a successful operation. "The carol singing disguise was used as a way of getting near the property and surprising the people inside.

"We knew there would be a few people in the house so we had to be prepared and fortunately we got a result."

A man and woman were arrested at the scene and later released on bail pending analysis of the substances seized.

The spokesman added: "It is the public's reporting of drug-related activity that enables us to be pro-active in carrying out operations and, in doing so, have a real impact on drug crime."

If you want to speak to the Safer Neighbourhood Team about crime or anti-social behaviour contact them on 01305 226631.