Random drug testing and searches in the town centre led to four arrests for possession of drugs on Saturday.

Testing of surfaces in clubs at the beginning and end of the night also revealed that recreational drug use is commonplace.

Sandy Kavanagh, community safety officer at SKDC, was part of the team tackling the problem at the weekend.

He said: "It was mainly cocaine that was found but also a little bit of heroin.

"There is a distinct heroin problem in Grantham with addicts and users but cocaine is the type of drug used by recreational drug users.

"Cocaine is addictive and if used enough, people can get hooked and obviously that causes problems."

The operation saw surfaces in Grantham clubs swabbed early in the evening and again late at night. The results showed the presence of cocaine and heroin.

Mr Kavanagh said: "We know there is a heroin problem in Grantham but in pubs and clubs it is mainly the recreational drugs so we would not have expected to find too much heroin.

"There are heroin users in Grantham and from time to time they use pub toilets. But the thing that concerns publicans is cocaine.

"The mix of cocaine and alcohol is volatile and can be responsible for violent outbursts."

Mr Kavanagh says the problem has got worse over the years but insists the authorities are taking it seriously.

He said: "We have always taken the problem very seriously. By working with the county council and police we can use our resources more efficiently.

"I think it would be a very difficult thing to eliminate completely. I don't think you will ever be able to when there are so many dealers making money out of it. We can only do our best."

The SKDC community safety team are working with licensees to 'design-out' the problem by offering advice like not having as many flat surfaces in toilets and installing better lighting.

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