A PROPERTY in Basingstoke was raided yesterday as part of a drug investigation, the Gazette can reveal.

The house, on Dorset Crescent, off Old Kempshott Lane, was searched on Saturday afternoon by detectives in an ongoing investigation.

It took place just after 1pm, with officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Basingstoke Rural Police involved.

One man was arrested at the scene and later de-arrested, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed.

Police say that "enquiries are ongoing".

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "Officers executed a warrant at an address on Dorset Crescent in Basingstoke yesterday (April 25) just after 1pm acting on information in relation to drugs.

"One man was arrested at the time, and was later de-arrested. Enquiries are ongoing."

It comes as statistics reveal that drug offences in Hampshire were 56 per cent up on the same time last year.

Hampshire Constabulary statistics reveal that there were 441 drug offences in Hampshire in February 2020, compared to 283 in the same month last year.

It's the highest that has been since September 2014.