Drug pests promised a 'trip' to the police cells

That is the promise of police in Middlesbrough, who are launching a blitz of pubs and clubs with the active support of licensees and door staff.

During recent weekend checks, six people were arrested.

Revellers arriving at venues across the town could find themselves being searched for drugs.

PC Revis Phillips said that it was a small price to pay, as drugs in circulation on Teesside could kill this Christmas.

Because it was the last weekend before Christmas, partygoers would be flooding into the town's night spots - a tempting target for drug dealers who wanted to make fast profits, he said.

PC Phillips, a member of the district licensing unit, said: "We want to put the message across that Middlesbrough will not accept this. It is a safe area for people.

"We also want to get across the message that if you are a person wishing to supply drugs and come into town, you are going to end up spending a night in the cells."

Premises applying to stay open until late must include a drugs policy in their licence application. "They all seem to be sticking to it quite stringently," said PC Phillips.

One problem enforcers have is that drugs are easily concealed, but door staff are refusing entry to licensed premises to people who decline to be searched.

PC Phillips said: "The problem we have got is that a lot of the drugs on the market are not pure drugs. They contain a lot of impurities, which could result in death.

"The majority of young people who visit Middlesbrough's night spots don't need drugs to enjoy themselves but, unfortunately, a small minority do and they are a threat to the rest.

"We are committed to making nightclubs and pubs in Middlesbrough a safe environment for people to visit," he said.

"We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the licensees who have a vested interest in keeping their premises drug-free.

"With increasing competition in Teesside, the customers will take their business elsewhere if they do not provide a safe place."