THE PSNI in Strabane are upping the ante in the fight against drugs by introducing a sniffer dog to the town.

Plans to bring in a drugs dog were unveiled at a meeting of Strabane District Policing Partnership on Thursday. Area Commander Andy Lemon said the decision was taken following a rise in drug seizures in the town in recent months. The number of seizures has risen by 44 percent on the same period last year, PSNI figures show.

When in use, the dog, described as a "passive drugs dog" by Chief Inspector Lemon, will patrol outside Strabane's pubs and clubs. Anyone caught carrying illicit substances will be apprehended and the drugs either seized or the person arrested and prosecuted.

Local officers hope to have the dog on patrol by Christmas.