A team of police officers with drug dogs will carry out licensing checks on venues in Lancaster and Morecambe this Christmas.
Twelve officers will be on hand to visit various businesses that serve alcohol to the public such as pubs, clubs, and off licenses, late night takeaways, and those who put on regulated entertainment such as live music, recorded music or indoor sporting events.
The officers have been newly-trained to help council licensing teams with their work throughout the year but particularly during the busy festive period.
Three Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have also been trained to cover all off licenses for the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
They can carry out due diligence visits, ensuring these premises are trading correctly and no children are being sold alcohol or any proxy sales.
Lancaster Community Safety Partnership has also funded two community radios for use by the 12 officers who were recently trained as Lancaster Licensing SPoCs (Single Points of Contact).
These radios are linked to all the licensed premises that are part of the local Pub Watch schemes.
Lancaster and Morecambe licensing teams ensure all licensed premises trade in a safe way.
This includes ensuring children are protected from underage sales of alcohol or tobacco products, ensuring no one who is drunk is served alcohol in a licensed premise, and that premises challenge any unruly behaviour.
“The new SPoCs have been trained to look for specific problems before they occur and act appropriately such as potential crime and disorder," said PC Andrew Taylor, licensing officer for the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
"Working with all the premises they can offer advice and support to staff in order to keep people safe. As part of their role they now have direct communication with the bars and clubs.
“Should there be any issues rather than calling 101, the staff can request assistance when they need it.
"This information can then be shared via police radios and an appropriate response can be given.
"Staff can still call 999 in an emergency but the community radios can assist in supporting the bars quicker for lower level incidents. This includes someone refused service refusing to leave, potential trouble brewing, criminal activity such as drug taking or dealing and so on.
“Funding for these radios were supplied through Lancaster City Council through the Community Safety Partnership and I thank them for this great partnership working.
"In the runup to the busy festive period we are also utilising drug dogs which will be taken out alongside the Licensing SPOCs and walked through premises.
“Any persons found in possession of any controlled substances will be arrested and dealt with through the courts - this information will also be shared with local Pub Watch schemes and suitable Pub Watch bans will follow.”
Councillor Peter Jackson, Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member and chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “It’s important that the Community Safety Partnership and the local pubs, clubs, bars and off licences work together to ensure everyone’s night out this Christmas is a safe and enjoyable one.
“The radios will serve as a crucial communication link between licensed premises and local police, allowing officers to stay informed and address any issues promptly as they work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
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