THE powerful nose of Bobby the dog has joined the anti-drugs battle at Winchester Prison.

The springer-collie cross started work at the jail yesterday and will check hundreds of visitors to stop illegal smuggling. Bobby had quick success yesterday by detecting three members of the public who, while not possessing cannabis when entering the prison, had recently been using it. Prison governor Roger Gaines said: "These dogs have a good record. They are being used more and more elsewhere. They are a very strong deterrent to bringing in drugs.

"If we find anyone with drugs on them, the chances are they will be charged with intent to supply - a serious offence."

Mr Gaines hopes the dogs will help break the cycle of drugs misuse and offending which helps to swell the prison population.

The jail plans to have four dogs: two will be "passive" sniffer dogs and two will be search dogs.

Bobby and his handler Fred Brown will shortly be joined by a search dog called Toby.

Two other dogs and a handler are being trained and will join the jail soon.

The dog teams are the result of Mr Gaines lobbying the Home Office for £60,000.

Winchester used to have a dog section which patrolled the perimeter until last year. They were removed when the jail lost its category A status.

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