In Scotland, Tayside Police’s community taskforce became the first officers in the region to use a device that can detect traces of illegal drugs on people’s hands.
Officers were equipped with the Itemiser as they monitored revellers going into pubs and clubs in Arbroath on two recent nights. The £25,000-device allows them to swab people’s hands and detect whether or not that person has handled illegal drugs.<br> <br>The Itemiser has been loaned to Tayside Police by the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency for the spot checks.<br> <br>Sergeant Carol Brown of the Community Task Force said:<br> <br>‘‘The Itemiser is an excellent piece of technology that allows us to check whether or not a person has been in possession of illegal drugs – including cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine, amphetamine – with a simple swab of their fingertips.<br> <br>‘‘We were grateful for the co-operation of the licensees involved this weekend who share our determination in deterring drug dealing and drug misuse from their premises. Spot checks such as these offer reassurance to patrons and a confidence that illegal drugs will not be tolerated by the police or our partners in the night-time economy.’’<br> <br>People who were approached on Friday and Saturday night were not legally required to provide a hand swab, but did so on a voluntary basis when requested.
