GreenSurfer
Well-Known Member
Hi-tech equipment used in operation in Aberdeen
Pubs and clubs north of the border have been taking part in tests using a pioneering portable drug detection machine.
More than 750 would-be customers at nine venues in Aberdeen had their hands swabbed with a device called the Itemiser at the weekend - the first time it has been used by police in Scotland.
The tests come at the same time as fresh reports of widespread use of cheap cocaine in bars across Scotland – and follows on from a Paisley initiative in which stewards use hand-held metal wand devices to detect knives.
The Itemiser can tell whether someone has been handling illegal substances including cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis.
Chief Inspector Innes Walker of Grampian Police, said: “So far we have had a very positive response from licensees in the city centre, who are keen to work with the police to ensure their premises remain drug free.”
Following the Aberdeen trial run 13 people were searched on suspicion of carrying drugs and two face possible prosecution.
Mark Donlevy, general manager of city centre nightclub Liquid, said: “We carry out random searches on customers anyway, and our typical student and 18-21 patrons don’t tend to be drug users, but the machine is still useful.
“It is sophisticated enough to be able to tell the difference between, say, someone who has touched paper money with drug traces and someone who has actually been handling drugs.
“They probably won’t have drugs on them – but the fact they’ve been in possession alerts our security staff to turn them away.”
Pubs and clubs north of the border have been taking part in tests using a pioneering portable drug detection machine.
More than 750 would-be customers at nine venues in Aberdeen had their hands swabbed with a device called the Itemiser at the weekend - the first time it has been used by police in Scotland.
The tests come at the same time as fresh reports of widespread use of cheap cocaine in bars across Scotland – and follows on from a Paisley initiative in which stewards use hand-held metal wand devices to detect knives.
The Itemiser can tell whether someone has been handling illegal substances including cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis.
Chief Inspector Innes Walker of Grampian Police, said: “So far we have had a very positive response from licensees in the city centre, who are keen to work with the police to ensure their premises remain drug free.”
Following the Aberdeen trial run 13 people were searched on suspicion of carrying drugs and two face possible prosecution.
Mark Donlevy, general manager of city centre nightclub Liquid, said: “We carry out random searches on customers anyway, and our typical student and 18-21 patrons don’t tend to be drug users, but the machine is still useful.
“It is sophisticated enough to be able to tell the difference between, say, someone who has touched paper money with drug traces and someone who has actually been handling drugs.
“They probably won’t have drugs on them – but the fact they’ve been in possession alerts our security staff to turn them away.”
