Police made a number of arrests in Stone town centre during a drugs and licensing operation earlier this month.
Thirteen licensed premises in Stone and Stafford were visited on Saturday 9th March in Stone and Saturday 16th March in Stafford to target suspected drugs misuse at licensed premises and crack down on night-time violence.
The operation was carried out by officers from Stafford Borough Local Policing Team (LPT) with support from the Special Constabulary, Tactical Support Team, Licensing Department, officers from the Dog Support Unit and two passive drugs dogs.
Officers used mobile drug testing machines which can detect trace evidence of drugs from people, surfaces, and property by analysing a swab that has been taken from the individual or item. Police say venues visited in Stone include the Poste of Stone and the Crown and Anchor.
The results in Stone were:
- Out of 65 swabs carried out for drugs using mobile drug testing machines 20 indicated positive leading to stop searches
- A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs (Ecstasy) and was released on bail pending further inquiries
- Two men, aged 19 and 25, and a 23-year-old women were arrested for being drunk and disorderly and received fixed penalty notices
- A 42-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply – the woman was released without charge and the man remains on bail pending further inquiries
- Three people were issued with street warnings for being in possession of cannabis and two were issued with fixed penalty notices for possession of cannabis.
Chief Inspector Scott Jones, commander of Stafford Borough LPT, said: “We are committed to stamping out drugs misuse in the area. Dedicated operations such as these reap positive results and we have received good feedback from licensees and members of the public. Drug-taking and associated crime has no place in our pubs, bars and clubs and licensees have a duty to comply with their licensing conditions. A visible presence by the police in public houses also reassures people that we are taking their concerns seriously and acting on information received.”
For more information on operations and ongoing work by Staffordshire Police’s Licensing Department and Local Policing Teams follow @OpSaferNights on Twitter.
