Oldham licensees "frustrated" over sniffer dog searches

Licensees in Oldham claim they are "frustrated" with police for failing to help them crack down on drug users in their pubs.

They want to target drugs in the area by paying for regular sniffer dog searches on their premises, but say they require more police support.

Pubwatch members have agreed to pay £25 each for a private security firm to carry out dog searches once a month, but legally these have to be accompanied by at least five police officers in case arrests need to be made.

Eddie Heap, licensee of the Front House pub in Springhead and chairman of Lees and District Pubwatch, said he had found bags of drug paraphernalia on his premises. He had tried calling the drug squad several times to report it, but found himself put through to an answer machine.

He said: "When we want these dogs out, the police are on other jobs. It does let us down a bit. It's just the drugs that everyone¹s concerned about. It's frustrating, but we are trying to do something about it. We are not getting the help we need ­ not just me personally but everybody."

"It's just making us look like we are doing nothing about it." Jenny Barrett, licensee at the Commercial Inn in Uppermill and chairman of Saddleworth Pub and Club Watch, said: "The problem is there¹s not enough manpower in the police force in our area.

"I want to raise awareness that we are trying our hardest to tackle the problem."

Chief Inspector Eric Fegan, Oldham Division, said: ³We have received a number of requests for this type of operation in Uppermill and the matter is being addressed by the local neighbourhood sergeant. "I am aware that the licensees have received feedback from the police and there is every likelihood of a joint drugs operation in the future."