Pubs take action against drug dealers after having licence suspended

Undercover police operations at the Swashbuckle Tavern and Barracuda, which operate under one licence, and Gypsy Tears, resulted in their licences being suspended last month, although they were later allowed to reopen with interim conditions.

The licensing sub-committee at North East Lincolnshire Council heard that both licence holders had responded positively to the problems raised and has allowed them to continue to operate with extra conditions to the licences.

These include proactively carrying out drug searches, better CCTV, regular searches of the premises, and better staff training.

Coun David Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, said: “The council has worked closely with Humberside Police and the licensees to ensure that everybody is doing what they can to tackle the serious problem of drug dealing which had been uncovered. Both licence holders have convinced the committee that they are capable of working proactively to prevent drug-dealing taking place on their premises, and conditions have now been added to their licences to see that this work continues.

“Furthermore, there is evidence that the action taken against these premises has had a wider impact, with respect to the management of other premises. Council officers have noticed a general improvement in vigilance against drugs, and the high standards which have been put in place for these pubs will now be expected across the board.”