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Detection System Reduces Drug Presence In UK County

Wherever drugs go, trouble and crime are often right behind. In Kent, England police officers are using a handheld trace detection device capable of sensing narcotics to cut down on drug activity in and around pubs and nightclubs throughout the county to help make the streets safer.

As part of the “Safer Streets” initiative in the county, Kent law enforcement officers use MobileTrace from GE Security to test for a wide variety of drugs and narcotics right in the field. Using the detectors, police require testing as a condition of entry into more than 600 participating establishments.

Since starting the program, more than 300 people were refused entry after admitting to recent drug use, and 152 people were arrested for drug possession.

“Trace detection devices have provided our officers a great advantage as part of the fight against drugs in Kent,” said Howard Chandler, Kent police drugs liaison sergeant. “During a night’s work where we have to travel from venue to venue, handheld technology is very useful to officers. By minimizing the amount of drugs on the streets and in nightclubs, we can lessen the number of incidents that occur and ensure a safer environment for patrons.”

Along with narcotics identification, MobileTrace also can detect explosives. Sensing both positive and negative ions allows effective identification from even difficult substances from a single test.

“GE Security is pleased the police service in Kent is seeing such success in combating drug activity by using GE Security’s handheld MobileTrace units along with its existing Itemiser desktop narcotics detectors,” said Vincent Ortega, national security specialist of GE Security’s Homeland Protection business. “This demonstrates GE Security’s continued commitment to providing real-world advanced technology security solutions that meet the demands and needs of law enforcement today.”

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

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