Police were about to smash their way into a suspected drugs den in Lancing when a young boy unlocked the door and let them in.

More than ten officers were set to burst into a property in Tower Road when the boy unlocked the uPVC front door, saving the use of battering rams and crowbars.

Police had targeted the house because of suspected use of class-A drugs.

One officer reassured the boy before joining the rest of the team looking for illegal substances.

A search team failed to find any drugs early this morning but drug paraphernalia was discovered.

Sergeant Ian Cooke, of Shoreham police, said an adult male and female detained at the house would be arrested in relation to other offences.