Pubdate: Mon, 24 Mar 2008
Source: Daily Post (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited
Contact:  http://www.dailypost.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4288
Author: Kelly Fenna

ZERO TOLERANCE DRUG POLICY AT PONTINS

HOLIDAY camp bosses are warning party-goers about their zero-tolerance
drug policy after police stormed a rave event.

Pontin's staff spoke out two weeks after 80 officers raided the
Prestatyn Sands camp in Denbighshire and arrested six revellers for
drug offences.

The Tidy Weekender music festival was thrown into chaos as officers
and sniffer dogs burst into the event earlier this month.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and B
drugs with the intent to supply.

A number of other people were cautioned for possessing drugs which
were seized by officers, on March 10.

North Wales police worked in conjunction with Pontin's to carry out
the operation.

Last night Pontin's said staff were now stepping up measures to
promote their zero-tolerance drugs policy.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said all six of the arrested people
were from outside Wales. They have been released on bail pending
further inquiries.

They include a 23-year-old man from Gateshead, a 44- year-old woman
from North Yorkshire and a 23-year-old man from Glasgow who were all
arrested for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

A 26-year-old woman from South Tyneside, an 18- year-old man from
Durham and a 23-year-old from Northumberland were arrested for
possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply. The over-18's
festival, organised by the 'Tidy Trax' label has been billed as
"seaside madness".

Last year, drug users travelling to Prestatyn had their plans thwarted
by sniffer dogs and were made to surrender their drugs at the entrance.

And in 2006, a man was prevented from entering the camp after police
found 400 ecstasy tablets in the boot of his car.

After the raid, Prestatyn Sands temporarily closed its doors, but said
the shutdown was down to talks of a national takeover bid of Pontin's,
and not because of drugs activity.

Call centre staff told the Daily Post the closure was also due to an
"overload of events."

The holiday chain is in negotiations with a "potential business
purchaser" to sell it off as a going concern.

But assurances were given that business will continue as
normal.

Area inspector Rob Kirman said: "We are committed to tackling drugs
and making our communities safer.

"This is yet another example of the work we will do to achieve this.
During the four days of the event we worked closely with Pontin's and
around 80 officers were involved in the operation."

A Pontin's spokesman said: "Pontin's have hosted music and dance
events at Prestatyn Sands and other centres for many years without any
problems.

"Regrettably, however, drugs are now prevalent in all areas of our
society but Pontin's has a zero tolerance policy which applies to
anyone on its centres, and the company will continue work closely with
the police and other bodies to tackle the problem at all levels."
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MAP posted-by: Derek