YOU'D think Swindon Police would be grateful to the Evening Advertiser for highlighting the trade in serious drugs in the town centre.

Think again.

After our undercover investigation, we immediately handed the £40 worth of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis to officers at the central police station.

Later, the reporter involved in the investigation was summoned back to the station. Not for a debriefing or a chat, but for a dressing down.

She was called irresponsible and told that officers had every right to put her in the cells overnight. She was told she could have been arrested for possessing drugs and could have ended up in front of magistrates.

We would like to apologise today for upsetting the police.

We are very sorry that we have managed to find, in a matter of just one hour, people willing to sell us hard drugs in a shopping centre busy bustling with families enjoying the lunchtime sunshine.

We are very sorry if we have exposed a deadly trade that the police seem to know everything about but appear incapable of stopping.

And we are very sorry if we have embarrassed senior detectives who will now no doubt be expecting a pile of letters from concerned parents demanding to know why this blatant trade is being allowed to continue.

Of course, we realise that Swindon Police have a thankless task, and we support Acting Chief Supt Kirby's policy of tackling drug-related crime and working with drug agencies that offer support.

But he also owes it to the people of Swindon to act to stamp out this evil trade that ruins lives and feeds shoplifting, burglary and street robbery.