THURROCK Council and Essex Police carried out a series of drug and alcohol checks across the borough last week.
On Thursday (19 September) police and licensing staff from the council visited several pubs checking what – if any – drugs were present and where in the building they were being used or dealt.
Officers swabbed surfaces and tested for the types and level of drugs involved to create a map of where drugs are being used and what types are present. This will enable licensees to target individuals and specific areas of their premises.
The results showed that drugs were identified at several pubs and follow-up visits will be carried out to see how the advice and assistance given to the licensees has helped tackle the issue.
The following evening saw additional licensing checks carried out on pubs. At one, a quantity of suspected counterfeit DVDs and tobacco was seized from a woman caught selling them in the pub.
At another a man was arrested for suspected possession of a class A drug.
The visits are just part of the council’s and the police’s regular programme of visits to licensed premises during trading hours to ensure the licences are being complied with and to support licensees in ensuring they are safe and enjoyable places to go.