Police combat pub and club drugs

A suitcase-sized machine which can detect tiny traces of drugs is being used by police in central Bristol to stop drug taking in pubs and clubs.

Known as the itemiser, the sensitive device is able to detect minute amounts of illegal substances on people.

Police say the detector will be used in a number of city centre venues.

Sergeant Steve Bell said: "We want to make it as difficult as possible for dealers and troublemakers to sell drugs in the city centre."

Police say the machine is so sensitive it can detect drugs if a person has been in contact with them, even if they have not used them.

"We want to make it as difficult as possible for drug dealers to come to the city centre," said Sergeant Bell.