POLICE SCREEN CLUBBERS FOR DRUGS

More than 100 revellers were swabbed for drugs in a police operation
in a town centre nightclub.

Eastbourne district licensing officers carried out an ION track
operation on the evening of December 7.

During the course of the evening 114 people were swabbed for traces of
drugs as a condition of entry to the nightclub.

Three people were arrested for drugs offences, one person was arrested
for public order offences and more than a dozen others were removed to
a secure area where they were then searched for drugs.

They were not arrested and were free to leave at the conclusion of the
search. The operation, which involved a total of 21 police officers
and was fully supported by club door staff, was carried out with the
intention of identifying possible drug offenders.

A police spokesman said patrons were very willing to take part and
keen to learn about how the drug testing equipment worked and what the
swabbing results were able to tell officers at the scene.

The club suffered no loss of revenue as a result of the operation and
was happy with the way the way the evening had progressed.

PC Daran Goudie, East Sussex District licensing officer, said, "The
aim of this evening was to make people aware that when attending clubs
within the town they can by all means come and enjoy themselves
however, do not bring drugs with you as you will be dealt with if
caught in possession of them.

"This sort of operation will be happening on a more regular basis in
order to assist door staff to keep our pubs and clubs drug free ."