...and sniffer dogs to visit pubs and clubs in crackdown

A CRACKDOWN on drugs being taken into pubs and clubs is being launched in Teignbridge.

Trained sniffer dogs will be taken into licensed premises across the district to hunt out any illegal substance taking.

The scheme has been carried out elsewhere in the force to great effect, say police.

The campaign is being launched under the PADS (Pubs Against Drugs) initiative.

One of the key aims behind the crackdown is to support pubs in their responsibilities under the Licensing Act.

Landlords are being given posters and stickers to show any would-be users they are supporting the scheme.

The work is being carried out by Teignbridge's Partners and Communities Together team which has been created to drive down anti-social behaviour and increase public confidence in police.

It is being launched in Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh and Moretonhampstead before it is rolled out across the district and into the Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Chudleigh areas.

Insp Ian Curson, head of the police team, said: "This initiative is a good example of how the police are working closely with the licensing department and Teignbridge Council to tackle drug misuse in our public houses.

"This is a high visibility approach to tackling drugs misuse within our public houses that is part of our ongoing activity intended to send a clear message that drugs in Teignbridge will not be tolerated."

Police say up to 15 licensees across Teignbridge have shown support for the initiative.

PADS was tested in Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Bovey Tracey last July. Officers visited a number of premises within each town but nothing was found.

It has also been operating in Plymouth and Exeter.

Sue Ewan, the licensee of Enigma and Hush nightclub in Newton Abbot, chairs the Late Night Forum, which represents licensees throughout Teignbridge.

She said: "We think this is a very good idea. Police have the resources available to them to identify if there is a problem.

"We conduct random searches here but the police dog would be able to go up and down the queue a lot quicker.

"It would make people think twice if they were tempted to bring any drugs out with them."

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council, the licensing authority, said: "The use and sale of drugs can have a very real damaging effect on people's lives, so we're very supportive of the new scheme.

"We're happy to see the police taking clear preventative action, which we are sure will be carried out with full respect to the vast majority of law-abiding customers and conscientious pub landlords in the area."