DRUG RAID ON POPULAR BAR IS HAILED A SUCCESS

AN ASSISTANT bar manager claims a drug raid on his premises was good
for business.

Bexley police swooped on the Potion Bar in Erith High Street swabbing
every customer entering the bar.

No arrests were made despite seven out of the 68 people testing
positive for controlled drugs in the raid on Friday, May 22.

Of the seven, four tested positive for cocaine and were searched but
no drugs were found.

Assistant manager at the bar Daryl Daniel, 24, said: "We have found
it has acted as a deterrent. It has stopped some trouble-makers
coming. It was an arranged thing. It was a surprise for the customers
but not for us.

"We found it to be a pretty good thing."

Officers used a drug testing machine on swabs from customers' hands,
which detects the smallest traces of drugs including cocaine and cannabis.

The results can indicate direct contact with controlled drugs or
indirect contact such as touching a surface with traces of drugs.

Sergeant James Coomber, from Erith Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said:
"We wanted to ascertain the level of drug use amongst the night time
economy in Erith and we were pleased by the very low number of people
testing positive for controlled drugs. We welcomed the support from
staff at Potion Bar and will be repeating the operation at different
venues throughout Erith over the coming months."

To report information on a drug related crime in Erith contact 020
8721 2048 or email Erith.SNT@met.police.uk.

To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.