A drugs dog team was used to search pub-goers and clubbers in Oxford in July to check they hadn’t been using illegal drugs.
The team consisted of a black Labrador called Benson and his handler Phil Munt, Director of Corporate Search.
Benson sniffs out people who have used or been in contact with drugs in the last 36 hours.
The drugs dog team, Nightsafe Manager, Karen Crossan, and police officers were working in George Street, Hythe Bridge Street and Park End Street on Friday night.
Karen Crossan, Nightsafe Manager, says: "Benson is trained to work through a static crowd and check large numbers of people within minutes. He indicates by sitting next to his handler if he can smell any trace of drugs on a person. They would then be searched by the police officers. On Friday night we searched eight people who Benson indicated had drugs and police confiscated drugs and drugs paraphernalia as well as issuing cautions. We searched several large groups just walking in the city centre as well as going to specific venues. The public were very interested in our team and what we were doing and we had very positive feedback from them and the licensees. We will be using the drug dog team again over the next few months as it is a high profile deterrent to anyone thinking about taking drugs."
Phil Munt, Director of Corporate Search Ltd, says: "We provide a high profile visual deterrent and by licensees assisting with the team they can be seen to be taking reasonable steps to prevent drug misuse and in doing so protect their license and their customers."
Insp Graham Sutherland, of Thames Valley Police, says: "Using resources such as passive drug dogs to provide support to city licensees and door staff in identifying possible drug dealers and users demonstrates the commitment of the partners within Nightsafe to the public of Oxford. It is our desire to make Oxford safer and keep it safe."
