A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of trying to supply drugs to individuals at a Swindon hotel currently protected by a partial closure order.
At approximately 10pm on Monday 4 May, police officers were called to the GW Hotel after an unknown male was seen acting suspiciously on the premises.
The teenager, who is from the Peterborough area, was spoken to by officers and arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with the intent to supply.
He has now been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
The GW Hotel is currently being used to house some of the homeless and most vulnerable and the three month partial closure order was granted on April 8 due to concerns raised around county lines and unwanted visitors, which also contravenes government Covid-19 restrictions.
PC Paul Bezzant said: “We are working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to safeguard the current residents, many of whom are extremely vulnerable and at risk of exploitation through their various associations often linked to drugs.
“The current order will remain in place for a total of three months to protect the residents as well as the staff who work on the premises.
“The suspicious incident last Monday shows why such an order needs to be in place.”
