ELLESMERE Port bobbies were joined by a new recruit with a nose for trouble.
Licensing officers were out and about in the town accompanied by colleagues from the borough council and a dog trained to detect the scent of drugs.
PC Pete Goring, licensing enforcement officer for Cheshire police, said: “We enlisted the help of the drugs dog because Ellesmere Port PubWatch asked for our help in tackling the use of illegal substances in their premises.
“The dog was supplied by K9 Support Services, which has helped us out successfully in the past and was only too happy to oblige this time round.
“And it seems our approach to tackling drugs is working as we visited several licensed premises during the evening and didn’t uncover any illegal substances.”
He added: “The dog is highly trained and would have picked up on the scent of drugs if they were present.
“It seems the message is getting through to people that we will not tolerate the use of drugs in Ellesmere Port, particularly in our licensed premises.”
Jimmy Silker, chairman of the Ellesmere Port PubWatch scheme, said: “Drugs are not welcome in licensed premises, they are illegal and their use can often lead to violence towards customers and staff.
“We welcome the use of the dogs in this ongoing initiative which shows how determined we are to address this issue and should reassure the customers in the pubs of the town.”
The Government-approved K9 dogs are trained to the same standard as passive police drugs dogs and are used inside premises and on the doors of the pubs to ensure any customer carrying drugs is detected and can be dealt with by the police.
PC Goring added: “It is great to see licensees in the area are taking a robust stance and proactive approach to suspected drug use in their premises.
“During the patrol we had lots of positive comments from customers who wanted to enjoy themselves without the risk of any drug-related anti-social behaviour.”
