Met police defends controversial drug swabbing after backlash
Voluntary scheme saw 15 people searched and led to one arrest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Metropolitan Police has defended a controversial video showing officers swabbing the hands of Londoners on a night out.
After sharing the footage on social media, the Met police faced criticism, with Twitter users asking which law allowed them to search members of the public and if the individuals had consented to being tested for drugs.
The Met has since stated that the checks took place with the consent of “two licensed premises” in Curtain Road, Shoreditch, who agreed for officers to “run an operation utilising a drugs itemiser machine”.
A total of 15 people were searched through the voluntary scheme, which saw one woman arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs after she was seen “disposing of a suspicious package”. A woman she was with had a high reading of Class A drugs after she was swabbed, police said.
A statement from the Met said: “The use of the machine was as a condition of entry, that condition being agreed with the licensees for that night. Anyone who refused was not allowed entry to the venues on the night.
“It was made clear to those wanting to attend the venues that the swabbing was voluntary. Refusal did not automatically mean that the person would be searched under S23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“If anyone provided a positive swab and no further grounds for search were identified they were allowed to continue with their night. If further grounds were observed, then searches were conducted. No personal details were obtained from anyone unless they provided them when stopped/searched.
“Safeguarding officers were also present to speak to people about the dangers of drug use, signposting them to charitable organisations and government programmes regarding addiction/misuse of controlled substances.”
The video was filmed in Shoreditch as part of a “week of action” in December said to have been in support of women’s safety.
Safety patrols of the nighttime economy, as well as tackling unlicensed minicabs and attending schools to speak to staff and students were all part of the action.
Officers worked mainly in areas that had seen a surge in incidents where women and girls were left feeling unsafe or had been victims of crime.
The force said that there was “an inextricable link” between Class A drugs and serious crime and violence in London, and identified Shoreditch as “a hotspot for these kinds of offences”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments