DRUG-DETECTOR TRIAL HAILED SUCCESS

Operation Using Hand-Scanning Device Leads to Two Arrests Outside
Participating City Venues

Calls have been made for pioneering drug-detection equipment to be
introduced permanently, after a trial in which over 750 people were
tested for illegal substances at the weekend.

Police in Aberdeen tested hundreds of people entering pubs and clubs
using a machine which can tell within seconds if a person has been in
contact with illegal drugs.

The Itemiser machine, which was on loan from the Scottish Crime and
Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), allowed officers to swab people's
hands and analyse the results using similar technology to that used
to find explosives at airports.

Police said the device found that a 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old
woman were in possession of class A drugs and both have been reported
to the procurator fiscal.

The operation was hailed a success by the Grampian Joint Police Board
- - who want to see the equipment used on a permanent basis.

Chairman of the police board Martin Greig said licensed premises
should help pay the cost of buying the devices, which are priced
around UKP25,000.

He said: "We all share responsibility in improving safety in the city
centre and this includes the private sector. This device is a useful
crime-fighting tool so any way of securing funding for it should be
looked into."

A total of 753 people were tested on Friday and Saturday nights
outside nine venues, which volunteered to take part. No individuals
asked to take the test refused.

Mr Greig added that without the device the two arrests could not have
been made, and it could be used in the long-term fight against
Aberdeen's growing problem with crack cocaine.

Grampian Police was the first force in Scotland to be given use of
the Itemiser, which can detect heroin, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

A similar device has been used successfully by some police forces in England.

It was introduced in Aberdeen as part of the Grampian Police
Operation Oak initiative, a nine-week drive against antisocial
behaviour in the city centre.

Along with the SCDEA, police have been working alongside licensed
premises, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council to cut alcohol and
drug-fuelled crime.

Inspector George Mcdonald, who co-ordinated the operation, said that
plans to bring the equipment back to the city are already under way.
He said: "This has been a worthwhile initiative between the SCDEA and
Grampian Police. From a national perspective it recognises the harm
associated with drugs and how important joint working and education
are to combat this and change attitudes.

"We will undoubtedly repeat this initiative, working with the SCDEA
and indeed other partners, in the future to target the minority whose
behaviour causes problems."

Revellers entering city centre nightclubs Liquid, Espionage and Tiger
Tiger were all asked to provide a hand swab. While it was not a legal
requirement, venues made it a condition of entry.