Drug Dogs Visit Local Pubs in the East Riding

On Friday 19 November and Saturday 04 December a drugs initiative took place at several licensed premises across the East Riding, sniffing out any illegal drug use.

The operation involved recruiting two specialist trained drugs dogs from West Yorkshire Police and their handlers along with 20 Humberside Police officers.

Licensed premises in Hedon, Keyingham and Withernsea were visited on Friday 19 November; using a brown and white coloured Springer spaniel named Diskey and a brown coloured cocker spaniel called Toby.

On Friday 19 November, Diskey and Toby were taken into several public houses in Hedon, Keyingham and Withernsea. During the course of the night the dogs detected traces of drugs on people and in one licensed premises an 18-year-old Preston man was arrested for being in possession what police believe to be a large quantity of class B and class C drugs with alleged intent to supply. Another man was arrested for other non – drug related alleged offences.

On Saturday 04 December 2010 pubs in Hornsea, the east coast and Snaith were visited under the same initiative.

Using specialist trained drugs dog and a mixture of police officers, Specials and PCSOs the licensed premises  are visited and any drugs which are detected by the dogs dealt with by the officers.

At the pub visited in Snaith, ten people were identified by the drugs dog as having being in contact with an illegal substance. Several more were spoken to and were given advice in relation to their behaviour.

Licensing Officer PC Carolyn Grundy said: “A number of licensed premises were visited across the East Riding on Friday 19 November and Saturday 04 December. The drugs initiative was implemented to detect illegal substances and any people involved in this activity.

“Humberside Police regularly receives intelligence regarding the taking and supplying of drugs on licensed premises. This type of behaviour is unacceptable and not only affects crime and disorder but also directly impacts on local communities.

“We have a duty to act on this type of information to reduce the impact that this has on a local community.

“People need to feel safe in the knowledge that premises are being operated within the law and are doing all they can to stop unlawful activates occurring on their premises.

“All the licensees in the East Riding are aware of the proactive approach Humberside Police takes in dealing with offences on licensed premises and the majority of licensees welcome such activity and work closely with the police to reduce such offences or issues.

“These operations have been carried out in the East Riding for many years and will continue to be used as an effective tool to identify and reduce the use of drugs in and around licensed premises.

“It is our duty if we identify any people in possession of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act or any person committing offences under the Licensing Act 2003 to deal with them accordingly.

“The only people who should be concerned regarding our proactive police activity are the people who choose to use licensed premises to take or supply illegal substances. Throughout the years Humberside Police has used this method of proactive policing; we have found this an effective method to reduce the use of substances and have previously been supported and welcomed by those people who frequent public houses.

“Anyone with any information about illegal drug activity or offences that impact on local communities should report their concerns to Humberside Police or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information.

“I would like to stress that the police take the illicit use of drugs seriously and that we intend to run similar operations in the future.”

Anyone with information or who are concerned in the supply of illegal drugs in the local area are urged to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222.