A SEVENTEEN-year-old boy has been arrested in Somerset suspected of attemptiong to sell drugs outside a school, police say.

A force spokesman said the youth was found near a school with cash and cannabis in his possession.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman: "Officers had been made aware of a young man suspected to be supplying drugs to schoolchildren in the area.

"PC Miller located the young man and, following a Section 23 search, he was found in possession of cash and drugs.

"A further search of his home lead to scales, snap bags and other drugs paraphernalia being seized."

Sgt Julie Denny, from Weston Police Station, said: “Because we had information relating to suspected drug dealing to young people, my officers were tasked with locating the suspect as quickly as possible which they managed to do within a few hours.

“We work closely with our local schools to deal with issues such as this, and I hope this sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate drug dealing or criminals that target young people.”

Executive principal of the Priory Learning Trust, Neville Coles, said: “We work closely with the local policing team and fully support their actions yesterday.

“We are committed to protecting and safeguarding our student’s welfare and we will not tolerate any anti-social or criminal activities either on or around the school site, and will fully support the police in taking the appropriate action to deal with it.”

Other arrests over the past 24 hours included a woman alleged to have assaulted a police officer in Taunton and a man suspected of robbery in Bridgwater have been arrested in the past 24 hours.

Elsewhere in Somerset, local officers became aware of a break-in at the Co-op in Naish’s Cross near Chilcompton, just after 11pm.

Three men broke into the shop and stole alcohol after failing to gain access to the cigarettes and tobacco.

Officers arrived at the scene and a pursuit took place, during which the suspects were throwing the stolen goods out of their car.

Officers from other areas became involved and the pursuit culminated in Winford, North Somerset, after the suspects crashed their vehicle and tried to escape on foot.

PC Claridge and his dog Chief located one of the men, aged 24, who was promptly arrested while other officers located and arrested another 16-year-old male.

The suspects were arrested for non-dwelling burglary, driving and drug offences and were taken to Patchway Custody Centre.

Dog Unit Sergeant, Steve Hopwood, from the Tri-Force Operations Department, said: “This was an excellent demonstration of really effective team work across different units and areas within Avon and Somerset.

“Working together with local officers in both Banes and Somerset and members of the Dog Section, we were able to locate and detain the suspects quickly and prevent further crime.”