Chester clubbers checked for drugs by trained police dog

Jul 29 2010 Chester Chronicle

PUB-GOERS and clubbers in Chester were checked for illegal drugs by a specially trained detection dog.

Officers from Cheshire Constabulary took the dog out with its handler, an officer from North Wales Police, over one weekend earlier this month.

Officers searched 54 people and one vehicle on the night.

Five people were found with class A or B drugs and of those five, three were given cautions, one was given a warning for possession of cannabis and one was reported to court for summons for possession of a controlled drug.

PC Martin Redhead who headed up the operation said: “About 18 of those stopped admitted either taking a controlled substance earlier in the evening or being in the company of someone who had.

“Anyone who was spoken to was also given information on drug abuse and a list of contact numbers to ring if they needed support to tackle drug use.

“We had a very positive reaction from licensees and door staff on the night who were pleased with the police response.

“We wanted to let people know that drugs will not be tolerated in Chester.”

Officers from the tutor unit, Chester Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team and 14 Special Constables joined the operation.

During the evening, a 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

She was charged and released on bail until August 2 when she is due to appear at Chester Magistrates Court.

To report drug use in your area, call Cheshire police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.