Four arrests not to be sniffed at
A specialist team of super noses joined police and Harlow Council
officers on patrol Friday evening, June 5, in a bid to combat drug
abuse among late-night revellers.
Funded by The Safer Harlow Partnership, the joint operation
involved police, Harlow Council officers and various agencies
alongside four specialist sniffer dogs; Beamish, Toby, Jasper and
Alphie. The dogs, who can sniff out 12 different substances,
including cocaine, heroin and cannabis, visited a total of ten pubs
and clubs across the town sniffing around queues, toilets and
seating areas.
Four people were arrested for drug related offences, five discarded
drugs wraps and various drugs paraphernalia were also found within
the space of a few hours.
Councillor Nick Churchill, Chairman of Harlow
Council’s Licensing Committee, said:
“This is a regular exercise we carry out with
the co-operation of local premises, which helps cut down drug
misuse in the town. This latest action will send out a strong
warning to those who are thinking about bringing drugs with them on
a night out in Harlow.”
Harlow Inspector Tom Mitchell said: "I would like to thank the
management and staff of the clubs and pubs for once again welcoming
the dogs onto their premises and supporting our efforts to deter
drug misuse in and around licensed premises. The dogs worked well
and enjoyed the friendly attention by the customers."
People should think twice
before taking drugs into Harlow licenced premises. This is just one
of a number of initiatives being introduced during the next few
months to help support the night time economy and ensure Harlow
remains a safe place to socialise."