Students at a Powys School may face unannounced visits from police sniffer dogs in a move to tackle potential drug use.

Ysgol Calon Cymru which has campuses in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells has agreed to an initiative with Dyfed-Powys Police to “undertake unannounced visits to the school along with a drug detection dog”.

In a letter to parents Headteacher Richard Jones said the decision had been made by school governors to “ensure illegal drugs stay out of our school”.

In the letter Mr Jones said: “If the police were to need to interview or search a pupil, we will make every reasonable effort in advance to contact parent on emergency contact numbers provided and a member of school staff would be present.

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“I hope that you are able to support the school in its approach and please take time to discuss the issue with your child to fid out about the dangers of drugs.”

In the letter Mr Jones said that the new policy would not interfere in its whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

He added “Engaging students in drugs education can help shape their attitudes and behaviours towards drugs, now and in the future.

“We also work with external partners to ensure the right pupil interventions are put in place where appropriate.”

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “School Police Officers are a dedicated point of contact who visit schools to deliver sessions ranging from anti-social behaviour to substance misuse.

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“Unannounced visits by a drugs dog have been used successfully in other schools and it is an useful tool in the drugs prevention and education strategy.

“The unannounced visit will see a police dog, which is highly trained to detect illegal substances, sniffing pupils bags, after they have been left in a dedicated area.

“The visits by the police dog are also used to educate pupils about the dangers of taking drugs, sharing an important message about the harm that drugs can cause, and advice on what to do if anybody should approach them offering them drugs or asking that they sell them on their behalf.

“It is usual to inform parents it is possible for unannounced visits to be made during the term.”