NEW ID scanners are being rolled out to pubs and bars in an attempt to crack down on drugs and antisocial behaviour.
The new scanners in Epsom and Ewell are being used to help the Surrey Police Neighbourhood Team make licenced premises across the area safer.
The new installations, which were launched at The Faraday Public House in Epsom on February 6, are part of the Pubs and Clubs against Drugs campaign which is being jointly run with Epsom and Ewell Community Safety Partnership and Pubwatch.
Two scanners will be rotated around premises in the area to take the finger prints of those on nights out. They will show up anyone who is banned and will tell door staff instantly if someone is under age, has bail conditions restricting access, or if someone is using fake ID.
PC Tom Arthur of the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "We are aware that there are drug users and dealers who are brazen enough to go about their business in public in our borough.
"We hope that these scanners can act as a deterrent and stamp out the kind of behaviour that can ruin innocent members of the public's night out.
"We want those in our community to feel like they can enjoy themselves without the fear of becoming a victim, or witnessing any criminal or anti-social behaviour."
As well as focusing on their own patch, the team will be working across the border with the Metropolitan Police in Kingston and Sutton to us their existing Behave or Be Banned scheme, alongside the scanners and the Pubs and Clubs against Drugs initiative.
Antisocial behaviour offenders will now be banned from all venues in Kingston, Sutton Epsom and Ewell.
