Newmarket Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) held two successful impact days on Friday and Saturday, March 12 and 13, seeking to clamp down on the issue of drink and drugs in the night-time economy.
Three warrants were executed, with one person being arrested and cautioned for possession of cannabis.
Four people tested positive for recent drug use as entrants to nightclubs submitted to hand wipes revealing any traces of drugs such as cocaine or cannabis on a person’s hands. One person was arrested and subsequently cautioned for possession of cocaine and the other individuals were refused entry to the club after negative searches.
Passive drugs dogs were also involved in the operation, identifying a total of 16 drug indications on people in and around the high street – all searches were negative.
Forest Heath District Council Environmental Health Officers visited pubs in the area along with officers from the SNT. Many were issued with informal warnings about correct signage such as no smoking signs and notices about leaving quietly.
Officers also performed Security Industry Authority (SIA) checks to ensure that all door staff met the standards set out by the SIA and hold a valid license, with no breaches coming to light.
With the policing presence in the town centre, incidents in the town centre high street were minimal – with two drugs offences, one incident of criminal damage and two minor public order offences.
Sgt Mark Shipton of the Newmarket SNT says: “Although only two arrests were made, the impact days were undoubtedly a success. Officers gathered a large amount of intelligence on drug use in the town and the warrants executed put out a clear message to drug users and suppliers that such anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“It also sends a message to the public that we are committed to keeping Newmarket safe so that people are free to enjoy the evening responsibly and with the assurance that any offenders will be dealt with.”
