AVON and Somerset Police seized more cocaine and ketamine last year, new figures show.

Home Office figures show 16.8kg of cocaine were seized by Avon and Somerset Constabulary in the year to March 2022 up from 14.4kg the year before.

Similarly, there was a significant increase in the amount of ketamine seized from 0.4kg in 2021 to 19.8kg last year.

The figures show there were 2,916 total drug seizures in Avon and Somerset last year down from 4,075 in 2021.

A significant amount of the drugs seized in the area last year were cannabis plants (12,191 plants) and herbal cannabis (75.8kg).

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the Government will continue to back police and Border Force to use every available power to stop drugs from entering the country.

He added the figures show how effective the Government's approach has been as they "continue to go after the criminals who blight so many communities and destroy lives with these harmful substances".

Regionally, police forces in the South West confiscated 7 per cent of the drugs seized across England and Wales.

Steve Dann, Border Force chief operating officer said: "These seizures send a clear message to anyone prepared to smuggle illegal drugs into the country that we remain committed to tackle often violent and exploitative drug supply chains.

"Border Force Officers involved in these seizures can be proud of their work in stopping these dangerous drugs from entering our communities."

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Drugs have a significant detrimental impact on communities and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure people do not have to suffer the harm and criminality we know is a consequence of them.

"We regularly run operations to disrupt those responsible for supplying illegal drugs, and often seize controlled substances along with cash and other paraphernalia.

"If you suspect someone might be involved in illegal drug activity, please contact us. For information about what support is available for people who want to stop using drugs, please visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/drug-dealing-and-use."