Pub Drug Tests Will Go On

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Police have vowed to continue surprise drugs tests at Oxford pubs despite only catching two people in their latest searches.

As part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour, police targeted pubs in Headington on Friday.

Helped by black Labradors Benson and Giz and their handler Phil Munt, of Corporate Search, a team of 15 officers took to the streets.

The team made surprise drug searches in nine pubs and one person was arrested for possession of a class A drug, and another was cautioned for possession of cannabis. The number of arrests was down from a previous operation, when six people were caught with drugs.

But the team also arrested a man on suspicion of burglary after he was found in a stolen Mercedes car in the White Horse car park.

Pc Jeremy Kidd, who led the operation, said he hoped the message was getting through that antisocial behaviour, including drug-taking, is not tolerated.

He said: "We use the dogs on all the pubs that fall within our boundaries.

"One of the neighbourhood policing priorities is to tackle anti-social behaviour and that antisocial behaviour often goes hand in hand with the misuse of drugs."

Karen Crossan, Oxford Nightsafe manager, said: "It is about communicating and getting the message out that by all means go and enjoy a night out but don't carry drugs on you."

Craig Hambridge, 19, who was drinking with friends at the Chequers, in Quarry Hollow, said: "I'm not too fussed about it. They're only doing their jobs, but they should be out catching proper criminals."


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Source: Oxford Mail
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest
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Website: Pub drug tests will go on (From Oxford Mail)