POLICE carried out searches of pubs across the borough as part of a business crime week of action.

Officers visited several premises in St Helens on the evening of Friday, October 20, and into Saturday, October 21.

The searches formed part of Safer Business Action Week.

The operation was run jointly alongside a passive drugs dog and the force's licensing department.

St Helens Star: Officers visited pubs across the boroughOfficers visited pubs across the borough (Image: Merseyside Police)

The following public houses were visited:

  • The Elephant , Thatto Heath
  • The Vine, Thatto Heath
  • The Bowling Green, Sutton 
  • The Duke, St Helens Town Centre
  • The Sunbeam, Newton-le-Willows
  • The Victoria, Newton-le-Willows 
  • The Wargrave Hacienda, Newton-le Willows

A police spokeswoman said a man was issued with a community resolution in relation to possession of a controlled Class A drug during the search at the Bowling Green. Meanwhile, another man was given a community resolution for possession of a controlled Class B drug at the Victoria.

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The police spokeswoman added: "A number of other stop searches were carried out and reassurance was given to the landlords/ladies and members of the public by our officers."

St Helens Star: Drug detection dogs were used in the searchesDrug detection dogs were used in the searches (Image: Merseyside Police)

On Friday after the searches, police in St Helens said: "This evening, Local Policing Officers have been conducting licenced premises walk through visits at public houses across St Helens.

"We have been assisted by a drugs detection dog and numerous persons have been stop searched and found in possession of drugs."