High-tech equipment which can help police detect traces of drugs is being used in pubs and clubs in Dover.

The ion track hand-held machine was used by a team of police officers in the town on Saturday, and two arrests were made.

Licensing enforcement officer PC Steve Alexander, from the Dover Community Safety Unit, is among those using the machine with the support of drugs dogs.

The equipment can detect, using swabs, traces of any residue drugs on all surfaces.

On Saturday night, officers made two arrests for possession of a class A drug and issued two formal cautions for possession of cannabis.

"This operation was put in place to target the few individuals who choose to use illegal drugs in the night-time economy," said PC Alexander.

"Public houses in Dover generally take a tough stance against allowing this activity to take place and we are working together to make it harder for drugs to be taken and any person found using will be banned for life.

"The person's details will also be passed to all members of Dover Partnership Against Crime. Using the ion track swabs, the premises will be tested and if an area is identified as being used for drug taking, I will work with the licensee to combat this using various methods."