CLUBBERS FACE DRUG TESTING

PEOPLE who have dabbled with drugs will be caught red-handed in a
police swoop on city pubs and clubs tonight.

Officers will be using a small-but-smart new weapon in their fight
against the menace of drugs -- a small cardboard swab will catch out
users and pushers.

The swab can detect the tell-tale traces of "street drugs" such as
cocaine, heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine (crystal meths),
amphetamine, ecstasy, morphine, ephedrine or ketamine on hands and clothing.

Findings will then be processed in a new UKP 32,000 ultra-sensitive
hi-tech machine called an Ion Track Itemiser, which was responsible
for 150 drug seizures by Wiltshire police at the Glastonbury Festival
last year.

Officers will search anyone who tests positive to see if they have
drugs on them. If they do, the drugs will be seized and the person
will be arrested.

The machine will be taken out for the first time tonight by city
officers who will be accompanied by staff from the Lincolnshire Drug
and Alcohol Action Team, who are experienced in operating the machine.

It is part of the police's Operation Barham initiative against drugs,
and follows a swoop earlier this year with a dog trained to sniff out
banned substances.

Pc Tony Milsom, who is leading the initiative, said: "This operation
combines new technology with old fashioned police work, advice and
treatment services.

"The swabs are an innovative way to determine whether or not someone
has been in contact with illegal substances, enabling us to carry out
searches and seize any drugs found.

"If a person is swabbed and the result is positive, but they are
found not to be in possession of illegal substances, they will be
offered advice and information by the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).

"If people are found to be in possession of drugs, appropriate action
will be taken against them.

Commander of Peterborough police Chief Superintendent Paul Phillipson
said: "We are committed to tackling drug possession and supply in
Peterborough and look to exploit new technology at every available opportunity.

"Previous operations involving drug sniffer dogs have been very
successful in Peterborough, and I have every confidence that this
operation will also have positive results."

Richard Paing, a development officer with Lincolnshire DAAT, has used
the itemiser on a regular basis over the last two years.

He said: "The Itemiser is a truly fantastic piece of equipment.

"For the majority of people, the machine will give a negative
reading, but for those who have had direct contact with an illegal
substance, the machine will indicate what substance the individual
has been in contact with.

"Where the machine has been used, it has been well received from
members of the public who want a safe night out."

Del Singh, chairman of Peterborough Centre Safe, which aims to make
the city's bars, clubs and restaurants safe and crime-free, said he
wholeheartedly supported the police action.

He said: "Drug dealers and drug users have absolutely no place in
Peterborough's night time economy.

"The police are doing all they can, and door staff in the city are
working hard to check people."