Knife Stamp Out has Positive Results for Porthcawl
Over 100 searches were conducted on club goers in Porthcawl town centre on Friday night as police swooped in a bid to stamp out knife carrying offences and drug related crime.
Led by Police Sergeant Mike Davies of the Porthcawl sector, the pre-planned sting named Operation Bamboozle saw officers work in cooperation with Jackie Jackson, the manageress of ‘Streets’ night club on John St, along with Andy Hughes, head of club security.
From 10.30pm when ‘Streets’ opened, police used knife wands (specialist equipment which detects metal objects) on the door to search those entering the premises. Club goers were also swabbed using drug itemiser equipment to detect any contact with illegal substances. Both were made a condition of entry to the nightclub.
Operation Bamboozle was held as part of Operation Agility; a force-wide initiative developed to ensure that knife crime in South Wales remains low. Although 80 people were searched using the knife wands, no knives or illegal weapons were found.
The drug itemiser machine showed 30 positive hits, detecting traces of cocaine and epherdrine, a legal sports stimulant. Those people who tested positive on the machine were searched by officers, but nobody was found to be in possession of illegal substances.
Following a detection by one of the drugs dogs outside the club, a male aged mid thirties was later cautioned for possessing a small amount of cannabis. Other searches following indications by the dogs revealed nothing further.
Police are taking a strong stance against knife crime and drug offences. During the operation, Sgt. Davies worked with 10 officers from Porthcawl and Pyle Neighbourhood Policing Teams, 4 officers from the Police Operational Support Team, and 2 drugs dog handlers that patrolled outside the club.
There was a really positive public reaction to the high visibility patrols on Friday night. Paulette Russell of Porthcawl, who was enjoying a night out in ‘Streets’ with friends said: “I’m really happy to see so many police here doing an operation. When we go out we just want to have a good time, and not have it spoiled by people looking for trouble. I’m glad something is being done to prevent it.”
Her friend Nicky Tallon agreed saying: “The searches are a good idea.”
Amanda Davies of Porthcawl was particularly pleased to see the drugs dogs patrolling the street, saying: “It’s great seeing them here.”
Sergeant Mike Davies said: “Officers really enjoyed working in partnership with the licensee and door staff of ‘Streets’, who are obviously equally committed to making Porthcawl nightlife a safer place for residents to socialise in. They have set a great example to other licensed premises in Porthcawl, and we hope other licensees will follow suit and also work to tackle crime in their premises.”
“South Wales Police will not tolerate knife or drug related crime in public houses or anywhere in our communities. It was really encouraging that no weapons were found during the operation, and whilst knife crime is not a significant problem in Porthcawl, carrying knives is dangerous and creates fear, so it is important the issue is addressed.”
If you have any information on knife or drug related crime call Bridgend CID on 679518 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.