editorial comment is this just paraphernalia or these people are crazy? What's a swab anyway? and they are surprised that they meet assault and public disorder???

Police in Yeovil have used a drug swabbing kit to test clubbers in the town.

Extra officers focused on the town centre on November 5 and 6 as part of operation Fountain which aims to tackle drug related crime.

As part of the operation officers used a drug swabbing kit to randomly test over 280 people who were attending a local night club.

The operation compliments the work already being done through Operation Fahrenheit – which is turning up the heat on violent criminals in Yeovil.

The drug kit works by taking a swab off somebody and this is placed in a machine which will be able to tell if the person has recently been in contact with certain types of drugs.

Out of 281 people only one person provided a positive reading, he was searched but had no drugs on him.

A number of people were arrested as part of the operation for various offences including assault and public disorder.

Sergeant Mark Hunt said: “The use of drug-swabbing equipment has demonstrated a novel and innovative approach, to tackling the problem of drugs locally.

“By working in partnership in this manner with licensed premises, it sends a clear message to all, that the unlawful use of controlled drugs will not be tolerated in Yeovil.

“It is anticipated that this equipment will be employed randomly in the future and at other licensed premises in the area.”

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