Drug swabbing interventions in London since 2018

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022602

I note you seek access to the following information:

I'm writing to you to ask that you please disclose whether or not you have undertaken drug swabbing in London clubs before the most recent instance.

I'd like to know when these took place, where, under what initiatives, the cost and the names of the suppliers of swabs or third parties working with the Met during these initiatives, going back to 2018 or as far as the cost limit will allow.

Is this something the Met routinely undertake? If so, how is it decided on the venues, locations, or need for swabbing? What criteria must be met? Does this usually include searching for other drugs than the 5 the swap is known to check for?

What are the "inextricable links" between drug related violence and women's safety (as cited from a Met police representative) that necessitate swabbing?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

I'd like to know when these took place, where, under what initiatives, the cost and the names of the suppliers of swabs or third parties working with the Met during these initiatives, going back to 2018 or as far as the cost limit will allow.

Since 2018, the itemisers have been deployed at the following locations -

01/07/2018 - South East (SE) Basic Command Unit (BCU) made up of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley Boroughs
09/01/2018 - SE BCU
27/09/2019 - SE BCU
23/11/2019 - SE BCU
06/12/2019 - Central East (CE) BCU made up of Tower Hamlets and Hackney Boroughs
13/12/2019 - CE BCU
14/12/2019 - CE BCU
14/03/2020 - SE BCU
16/10/2021 - SE BCU - Bexleyheath
11/12/2021 - CE BCU - Shoreditch
17/11/2021 - Central West (AW) BCU - Haymarket

Rapiscan are the suppliers of the Itemiser and swabs. These are owned by the MPS. The swabs which feed into the itemiser are approx. £35 a pack.

Is this something the Met routinely undertake? If so, how is it decided on the venues, locations, or need for swabbing? What criteria must be met? Does this usually include searching for other drugs than the 5 the swap is known to check for?

This is not a routine tactic that we use. It is used in response to requests for assistance by local officers, and part of a range of methods used to make the night time economy safer. Those who are swabbed are done so as a condition of entry to the venue. The Itemiser can be set to search for a range of drugs at different levels and intensities.

What are the "inextricable links" between drug related violence and women's safety (as cited from a Met police representative) that necessitate swabbing?

This operation was part of a wider week of action by MO7 Taskforce to tackle violence in the night time economy, concentrating on violence against women and girls. The itemiser tactic targets those who are involved in the sale and supply of drugs and the harm and behaviour change linked to drug use. By customers agreeing to be swabbed prior to entering a venue, it gives them the knowledge that the area is drug free. Controlled Drugs affect people in many ways and changes their behaviour, usually in a detrimental way, sometimes leading to violence. A location which is drug free makes it safer for customers and staff by removing this aspect of behavioural change.