Drug detection dogs have been on the scent of illegal substances in Keighley’s railway and bus stations as part of an initiative to deploy them across the district.

The two labradors – police dogs Holby and Harley – began work on the railway station forecourt, before patrolling the platform access ramps with their handlers, Sgt Debbie Southwell and PC Kimmo Moylan.

At least one young man was later taken away for questioning from the bus station after sniffer dog Holby detected something suspicious. A spokesman for Airedale and North Bradford Police said two people had been searched and questioned as a result of the operation.

He said there were a total of four detections of illegal substances and two people were arrested for possession of drugs with intent to supply.

The dogs in action in Keighley last Friday afternoon were backed by 14 police personnel, including officers from British Transport Police.

Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team sergeant Craig Marshall said: “We’ve got a high-visibility presence here to reassure people we are tackling this type of crime. We’re giving out leaflets to explain why we’re here and what we’re doing.”

The Airedale and North Bradford Police spokesman added: “The Keighley NPT and partners from the Operations Support Unit have now begun regular patrols with drugs dogs in Keighley town centre, rail and bus stations, as part of efforts to combat the supply and use of narcotics in the town. Passive drugs dogs are trained to sniff out any trace of controlled substances on a person and are sensitive enough to even detect traces of drugs on a person who, while not carrying any, may have been using them recently.”