FIVE people were found with illegal drugs as police crackdown on anti social behaviour.

Officers from Knutsford and Macclesfield Beat Team, supported by the Special Constabulary and police dog Barney, visited pubs and clubs in Knutsford, Macclesfield, Poynton and Disley.

The operation on Friday, December 9, was aimed at keeping residents safe this Christmas.

Licensing checks were conducted at nine premises, with the full support of all the licensees, and all was found to be in order.

PD Barney was also kept busy, with five people found in possession of illegal drugs, three with cannabis and two with cocaine.

Knutsford Guardian: Police dog Barney helped officers in their search for illegal drugsPolice dog Barney helped officers in their search for illegal drugs (Image: Cheshire Police)

All five offenders were dealt with at the scene and the drugs were seized and will now be destroyed.

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Officers were out on the streets again on Sunday, December 11, when they visited Macclesfield town centre to engage with residents and remind them about the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is now in place in the town.

The order, which was implemented by Cheshire East Council following a referral from Cheshire Police came into force on July 18, 2022, means it is now an offence to refuse to hand alcohol over to an officer when requested to do so.  

The PSPO also bans people from urinating in public. Anyone who breaches the order faces a heavy fine of up to £1,000.

Inspector Christian Watkins, of Macclesfield LPU said: “We’re committed to doing all we can to keep residents safe this Christmas and will use all of the tools available to us to achieve our goal.

“While the vast majority of people we engaged with over the weekend were behaving safely and responsibly, there were a small number of people who were found in possession of illegal drugs, and they have all been dealt with.

“I would like to thank all the licensees and residents that we spoke to for their cooperation and I hope that this weekend’s activity provided some reassurance to the local community by demonstrating that we were working hard to keep them safe.

“The message is clear, we will not stand for any drugs related offences or anti-social behaviour in Cheshire this Christmas."