Westons neighbourhood police team has launched a new initiative to ensure that revellers are safe while enjoying a night out in the town.
Westons neighbourhood police team has joined forces with North Somerset Council and Pubwatch members to clamp down on night-time antisocial behaviour and violence in the town centre.
Specialist drug testing kits and a sniffer dog, named Berkley, were used at a number of pubs and bars around the High Street on February 27.
Neighbourhood sergeant Mark Jenkinson said: The vast majority of people were there to have an enjoyable night out, but two people were arrested on the evening of February 27 after being found in possession of a white powder, which we suspect is cocaine. They are due to attend a police station voluntarily to be dealt with.
A third person was also arrested for public order offences.
Sergeant Jenkinson said officers also ordered three people to leave the town centre in an effort to prevent antisocial behaviour.
However, five people were arrested in the town centre on Friday night for offences including assault, affray and obstructing police, and one pub manager believes a higher police presence is needed to combat antisocial behaviour.
Chris Partridge runs the Cabot Court Hotel in Knightstone Road. He said: I think the scheme is a good idea and hopefully it will get venues clean and will get drug takers away from premises. I have seen the drug test machine used in my pub, and thats great for everyone. But it wont stop antisocial behaviour.
There is not enough of a police presence in Weston and we lose too many officers from town when they take people into custody at night. Closing the police cells in Weston has had a very negative impact.
A council spokesman said: We have a really good working relationship with the police and we want to make Weston a place where people come to enjoy a safe night out. We are also one of 20 local authority alcohol action areas, which means we can exchange best practice and look at new alcohol action ideas with other councils.
Story courtesy of The Weston Mercury www.thewestonmercury.co.uk
