{"id":20613,"date":"2026-01-24T17:59:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T16:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=20613"},"modified":"2026-02-17T20:17:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:17:09","slug":"successful-drugs-in-pubs-police-crackdown-sends-out-clear-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2026\/01\/successful-drugs-in-pubs-police-crackdown-sends-out-clear-message\/","title":{"rendered":"Successful drugs\u00a0in pubs police crackdown sends out clear message\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<header id=\"tbp_header\" class=\"tbp_template\" data-label=\"disabled\">\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2556\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2556 themify_builder tf_clear\" data-postid=\"2556\">\n<div class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_gs9360b tb_xwiw000 tf_w\" data-css_id=\"xwiw000\">\n<div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_ifw1780 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-site-logo tb_cir6000\">\n<div class=\"site-logo-inner\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module module-site-tagline tb_62hz706 hide-mobile\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"tbp_site_tagline_heading\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly &#8211; <span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2026-01-19T08:18:01+00:00\"><span class=\"tbp_post_day\">19.01.<\/span><span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2026<\/span><\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_r2mq488 last\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"module module-image tb_aow2870 image-top tf_mw hide-mobile\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"body\" class=\"tf_clearfix\"><main id=\"tbp_content\" class=\"tbp_template post-5638 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blog tag-devon tag-devon-cornwall-police tag-drugs has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \" data-label=\"disabled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-338\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-338 themify_builder tf_clear\" data-postid=\"338\">\n<div class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-content tb_gs9360b tb_zdlc287 tf_w\" data-anchor=\"content\" data-hide-anchor=\"1\">\n<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ncq1288 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-image module-featured-image tb_6ldw541 image-overlay\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-20614\" src=\"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devon-Cornwall-police.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1101\" height=\"692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devon-Cornwall-police.jpg 1101w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devon-Cornwall-police-640x402.jpg 640w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devon-Cornwall-police-1024x644.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devon-Cornwall-police-768x483.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1101px) 100vw, 1101px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\"><em><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Police drugs dog Jasper with his handler PC John Warren and other officers including Police Inspector Peter Giesens, joined by Commissioner Alison Hernandez, in Paignton<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_43zb316\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"module_column sub_column col-full tb_3f76317 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-post-meta tb_0bnq275\">\n<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module module-post-title tb_ynpq527 tb_gs9360b\">\n<h3 class=\"tbp_title\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Successful drugs\u00a0in pubs police crackdown sends out clear message\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module module-post-content tb_yyf2328 tb_gs9360b\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<div class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-5638 themify_builder not_editable_builder in_the_loop\" data-postid=\"5638\">\n<div class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_zsys225 tf_w\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_eo5q225 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-text tb_3bpw726\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">On a freezing cold\u00a0January\u00a0Friday night in Paignton, I joined\u00a0police\u00a0officers\u00a0on an unannounced Pubs Against Drugs (PAD) operation to\u00a0disrupt and\u00a0deter drug use\u00a0and make nights out safer in the town.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">These operations are carried out across Devon and Cornwall throughout the year.\u00a0It is such\u00a0a great way\u00a0to show people that the police take tackling drugs seriously and\u00a0sends\u00a0out\u00a0a clear message\u00a0that drug use will not be tolerated\u00a0in our pubs and clubs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">In Paignton, incredibly\u00a0well-trained\u00a0police drug dog Jasper\u00a0was\u00a0joined\u00a0by\u00a0policing teams from\u00a0South Devon,\u00a0as well as Special\u00a0Constables\u00a0who give up their time for free to help\u00a0keep\u00a0our\u00a0communities safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">During the evening, visits to eight pubs\u00a0in the town\u00a0were carried out.\u00a0It was heartwarming to see people out enjoying themselves in the pubs, especially at a time when the industry is struggling to stay afloat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">It was reassuring to see the efforts being made by\u00a0licensees\u00a0to keep\u00a0their\u00a0pubs\u00a0safe\u00a0and the positive way they\u00a0interacted\u00a0with police during the operation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">At two of the pubs\u00a0the police visited,\u00a0managers went out of their way to tell me how much they welcomed the police action\u00a0because of the message it sends to their customers about drug use not being acceptable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Although little drug use was found, inevitably some\u00a0positive searches\u00a0were conducted.\u00a0Quantities\u00a0of both Class A and Class B drugs were found. The presence of police in the pubs also resulted in the\u00a0arrests of two wanted men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">One was\u00a0wanted on\u00a0warrant\u00a0and the other was being\u00a0sought\u00a0in relation to domestic violence offences\u00a0which\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0how beneficial these operations\u00a0are\u00a0in tackling crime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_tc4z127 tf_w\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3lg4128 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-image tb_owiw154 image-top tf_mw\">\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Paignton Inspector Pete Giesens, who heads up the local Neighbourhood Police Team, organised the action in the town. He told me about the great relationship his officers have with licensees and bar staff, as well as door security officers, to ensure that unwanted behaviour is dealt with in the night time economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_2dvx965 tf_w\">\n<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n<div class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_w2tw966 first\">\n<div class=\"module module-text tb_junh966\">\n<div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Tackling drugs\u00a0remains\u00a0one of key priorities\u00a0in my Police and Crime Plan\u00a0because residents tell me they want it pushed out of their communities. Operations such as PAD show it will not\u00a0be\u00a0tolerated\u00a0and action will be taken.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">My office\u00a0remains\u00a0committed to supporting\u00a0education for both adults and children\u00a0to help cut crime and save lives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">A few\u00a0days after my night out with the police in Paignton\u00a0I visited Cornwall College in Camborne where many students completed my Young Voices in Policing online survey. Alarmingly,\u00a0out of all the responses we\u00a0have\u00a0gathered so far, 40 per cent were either concerned or\u00a0very concerned\u00a0about drug use in their age group, and eight per cent said they have experienced or\u00a0witnessed\u00a0drug use in the past 18 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">There is no place for drugs in our region. Issues can only be tackled by disrupting organised criminal groups, reducing supply and demand, delivering effective treatment, and protecting young people from exploitation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">A\u00a0holistic and trauma responsive approach to tackle the root causes is\u00a0required\u00a0and\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0why I am such an advocate\u00a0of specialist\u00a0providers such as\u00a0Harbour Housing in St Austell. I have personally seen how\u00a0its\u00a0incredible model and ethos\u00a0has\u00a0transformed the lives of its service uses by tackling\u00a0homelessness,\u00a0drugs, alcohol, mental health\u00a0issues\u00a0and unemployment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">It also brings great benefits to the local community by reducing antisocial behaviour, and I would love to see this model replicated across Devon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">There are also many other\u00a0organisations\u00a0and charities out there who are playing\u00a0their\u00a0part such as\u00a0North-Devon based\u00a0Addicts to Athletes.\u00a0Last year, under my\u00a0office\u2019s\u00a0Community Grant Scheme, they were awarded \u00a35,000 \u2013 the biggest grant\u00a0they have\u00a0received \u2013 to continue delivering the benefits of\u00a0free\u00a0physical activity to help\u00a0adults\u00a0suffering with addiction, including drugs,\u00a0alcohol\u00a0and gambling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Source: https:\/\/devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk\/successful-drugs-in-pubs-police-crackdown-sends-out-clear-message<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly &#8211; 19.01.2026 Police drugs dog Jasper with his handler PC John Warren and other officers including Police Inspector Peter Giesens, joined by Commissioner Alison Hernandez, in Paignton Successful drugs\u00a0in pubs police crackdown sends out clear message\u00a0 On a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,68,40,128],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-crime-violence-prison","category-drug-use-various-effects","category-prevention-research","category-uk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20613"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20616,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20613\/revisions\/20616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}