Kidz Rage !

Milton Keynes police and partners have launched a new machine into the cities’ licensed premises. The machine will be used to detect people contaminated with drugs, to stamp out illegal drugs and make a night out in Milton Keynes safer.

The Itemiser is a trace element machine which detects all prohibited drugs and also the levels of contamination. Clubbers’ hands and personal items such as mobile phones, purses and wallets are swabbed before the Itemiser gives a reading of what drugs they had come into contact with, if any.

The machine was trailed earlier this year in the city and it proved to be very successful. Funding was secured from the partners including:

Community Safety Partnership
Barwatch
Milton Keynes Council
Thames Valley Police

Partnership protocols have been set up with all partners and the Itemiser will be used across the city in all licensed premises. In agreement with the licenses, entry into their premises will only be allowed if people give permission to be tested by the machine.

The machine will be in operation in the immediate future with a zero tolerance attitude to anyone who is found to be contaminated with prohibited drugs. Anyone found to be contaminated will be searched and appropriate action will be taken. Anyone contaminated, but found with no drugs, will be refused entry to the premises; if however they are found in possession they will be arrested.

Lin Poizat, Police Area Licensing officer, said: “The Itemiser is a major advance in technology which we can employ in the fight against illegal drug use.

“It will allow police and partners, in association with barwatch and licensees, to take a robust and zero tolerance regime to anyone contaminated by prohibited drugs.

“The Itemiser will be part of the ongoing Safer Streets campaign and will be used for the foreseeable future, making Milton Keynes a safer place to enjoy a night out.”

via MKDNB