POLICE sent a clear message to licensees and customers that flouting of the law will not be tolerated in a series of pub raids at the weekend.

Durham police searched pubs in the south of the county on Saturday night as part of a clampdown on crime and disorder in licensed premises, which new Chief Constable Mike Barton has outlined as a priority for the force.

The Spennymoor neighbourhood team was joined by specialist officers, including dog handlers with drug sniffer dogs, and a Durham County Council licensing officer on the operation.

They visited The Kingfisher, The Weardale and Quinns pubs in the town centre to check licensing conditions were being adhered to, that no customers were in possession of controlled drugs and nobody underage or excessively intoxicated was being served alcohol.

Acting Insp Warren Edwards said: “We will continue to ensure that the town remains a safe place.”

Sgt Tim Robson, of the force’s alcohol harm reduction unit, said: “These visits are part of our ongoing operation throughout County Durham to deal positively with issues of anti social behaviour and excessive alcohol consumption on licensed premises.

“A key point is to identify members of organised crime groups operating within premises and target those individuals.”

Similar searches were held in the Bishop Auckland area. No arrests were made.