A GROUNDBREAKING plan is being hatched by the police to take members of the public out on drugs raids.

The move would give people the chance to see first-hand -- from the safety of secure vehicles -- the drama of the drug squad at work on a raid.

DI Tony Bolton of Preston CID said: "It would be wrong at this stage to publish what we are going to do.

"But it's something that we may do in the near future. But we do want some element of surprise."

So far no decision has been made on who would join the drug squad, but Councillor Jonathan Saksena, the Mayor of Preston, said he had been informed of the plans by city's top policeman, Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver.

Coun Saksena said: "It would certainly be interesting, just to see exactly what would be involved when they go out on the raids.

"It's something I would support."

If the plan goes ahead, it will be the first time members of the public have had 'front row' seats to a Preston drugs raid. A similar scheme has been used in Southern Division, which includes Leyland, where local councillors were taken out in patrol cars on an under-age drinking crackdown.

And Preston's Central Division had a visit from Government minister Lord Falconer during a drugs raid last month.

DI Bolton said: "That was the approach that was used in Southern Division, to take the opinion-formers out. And it's what we are looking at initially, to take the council leader for the area perhaps, and someone who has a say in what goes on in the area.

"It would involve key opinion-formers within communities. They could be dignitaries, people who live in a certain area, or it could be the local councillor."

But not everyone has welcomed the move.

Leading anti-drugs campaigner Kath Talboys has urged caution and fears the scheme could turn raids into a public spectacle.

Miss Talboys who works as project manager and strategic director of Preston's DrugLine, said: "It causes a lot of stigma. It labels the neighbourhood for a start. We have to be careful when naming and shaming. Look at sex offenders -- we've had innocent people battered.

"The police have to do their job, I'm not knocking that. But we have also got to be careful not to turn it into the macabre and grotesque.

"It can affect the whole culture of an area."

But police are adamant the scheme would not just be a sightseeing tour. DI Bolton said: "We are not running a theme park. If we think it would help with our anti-drugs message, then it's something that we will consider."