Although the 1997 Public Entertainments (Licences) Drugs Misuse Act has now been repealed, its legacy lives on and is clearly illustrated by a recent operation undertaken by TVP in conjunction with ICTS-GIS teams in support. Liz Arnold – Milton Keynes’ licensing officer on behalf of TVP, has commented that “fantastic results” have been recorded as a result of the dogs and search teams being deployed at the outskirts and the centre of the city.ln one evening alone, some 28 searches were carried out of licensed premises, pubs and clubs based on information and intelligence received from the local community.
Chief Inspector Andy Standen added: “The operation is part of the continuing proactive approach being taken on illegal drugs, as was shown with the arrests and seizures that took place. Milton Keynes doesn’t have a huge drug problem. However, the operation is aimed at making the city a safer place in which people can venture out and enjoy themselves, without the minority of those who will break the law. This was not a one-off operation – the dogs are an excellent resource to help tackle drug crime, and they will continue to be used in the future at random intervals. If anyone is found with drugs on them we take a zero tolerance approach. Those caught could well face a custodial sentence”
Swabs were also taken by the police licensing officer at all the venues and at other locations. These will be tested to reveal whether or not particular premises have a problem with drugs being taken there. It’s also possible for action to be taken against landlords and license-holders if repeated finds are made at their premises. It’s reliant upon on them to keep a safe premises and to help cut down on crime – including drug use.
Operational with many police forces
During the past 12 months, ICTS-GIS has operated alongside numerous forces including Thames Valley Police (TVP), the Metropolitan Police Service, Essex Police, Northamptonshire Police and Leicestershire Police. The company provides drug education and search services for schools, screening for drugs at events and festivals, deployments in towns and cities, main line and tube stations, all the while working alongside multi agency partners from the local police, the British Transport Police and council licensing and enforcement officers targeting pubs, bars and clubs. In some areas, daytime operations in town centres are also achieving a high level of success.
The service provided is managed by a team of highly-qualified drug dog handlers. Their dogs have attended police dog training schools, while the handlers have achieved the same standard of operation as police officers must in order to operate in line with ACPO standards.
Now responsible for business development at GIS, John Franklin-Webb launched the first counter-drugs programme in 1997 using both pro-active and passive screening dogs in the night economy for the leisure sector (largely in response to the Milton Keynes-driven Public Entertainments (Licences) Drugs Misuse Act 1997. This legislation was championed following the tragic death of Lea Betts. The Act effectively put the onus on licensees to prevent drug misuse in or around their premises with the ‘threat’ of losing their licence if they didn’t heed the notice. The launch of the counter-drugs programme was not simply a matter of providing ‘one man and his dog’, though. The deployments were supported by the establishment of protocols, operational terms of reference, guidance on safe and legal handling of drugs and related paraphernalia and the importance of effective police liaison.
Three years later, in 2000 the service was formerly adopted by TVP and the Aylesbury Vale Police as a programme provided by the private sector in support of police operations. The (then) town centre Inspector Steve Baker in association with PubWatch was responsible for the initiative, which was nominated – and subsequently won – a National Pubwatch Award for innovative counter-drug measures within the night economy. After a year’s pilot scheme and evaluation, TVP then awarded the first four-year contract to the private sector for the provision of specialist drug search dog services. Since then, a number of similar initiatives have been developed on a national basis. These continue to provide a valuable, cost-effective resource for supporting police operations.
True credentials must be established
Franklin-Webb explained: “It’s clear from our success rate that our ongoing commitment to training and the professionalism of our personnel, who work to such a high standard, is self-evident in the results we achieve. We are recognised for our ability to support Police operations and in so doing provide this valuable resource to deter those using or selling drugs in or around licensed premises.”
In conclusion, Franklin-Webb offered something of a rallying cry. “As the police service has started to embrace the private sector for the provision of specialist dog roles, it’s crucial that each and every procurement department and commissioning officer considering using the private sector satisfies themselves of the true credentials and methods of operation of the service provider, handlers and dogs. This is the only way to ensure they meet police criteria, as laid down by the Association of Chief Police Officers, well in advance of any operation.