BOUNCERS and police staff have been testing a new machine to crack down on people taking drugs into bars and nightclubs in west Wiltshire.
The £30,000 Ion Track Itemiser can identify class A-C class drugs in less than 10 seconds from a sample trap run over surfaces like skin, clothes or furniture.
Staff and police officers took part in their first day of training with the new machine at Club Ice, Westbury, on Friday.
The device can also detect explosives and other drugs, including ones used in drug-assisted rape.
West Wiltshire community safety officer Pippa McVeigh said: "One of the big things for us is that it's also about supporting licensees by giving them resources and equipment to help them keep drugs off their premises."
The machine will be used as a screening device on the doors of licenced premises in north and west Wiltshire, with the help of management and door staff.
Licensing officer Jacqui Gallimore said: "If we identify a problem in a particular licenced premises or area in a bar, we can then work with the manager to improve lighting or security."
The training phase is expected to last six weeks, after which the machine will be put into use.
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