SHOCKING statistics uncovered this week have shown 50 per cent more youngsters are being taken into custody in Bridgwater for possession of drugs than in Taunton.

Despite Bridgwater being around a third of the size of its county town neighbour, for the past two years figures have shown more youths aged 16 and under have been detained here.

The statistics were uncovered following a Freedom of Information Act request asking for the number of juveniles found in possession of illegal drugs in the Avon and Somerset police area.

Bridgwater sector inspector John Hart told the Mercury he did not think the town had a problem compared to others of a similar size.

"I don't think Bridgwater is any worse than other towns but maybe our approach is a bit more proactive," he said.

"Ours is definitely one of if we stop young people in circumstances that they might be using drugs we will use our powers to stop and search them.

"If they are stopped in the street positive action is taken and they are brought to the police station."

Last year 12 people aged 16 or under were taken into custody in Bridgwater, compared to just eight in Taunton during the same period.

In 2004 the story was the same, with 19 youths from this town detained for possession of drugs. Taunton only had 13. Out of the whole the Avon and Somerset policing area, 2005 saw 173 found in possession of drugs and 12 with intent to supply - out of that tally 41 were charged.

In 2004 158 were found with drugs on them and seven with intent to supply and out of that figure 32 were charged.

Inspector Hart said his force's crackdown on narcotic misuse was design-ed as a preventative measure.

"Certainly cannabis can be a gateway drug to harder drugs and I encourage our officers to do all sorts of intervention work," he said.

"It's all part of our approach to dealing with drug misuse and trying to ensure that this drug abuse is not a gateway to harder substances in the future."