Drugs in Licensed Premises: What Police and Licensing Authorities Expect
Updated: Jul 22
Drug use, possession or supply in a pub, bar, nightclub or other licensed venue can quickly become more than an isolated incident. It can affect customer welfare, expose weaknesses in staff procedures and place the premises licence under scrutiny.
Police and licensing authorities may consider not only what happened, but also whether the operator anticipated the risk, trained its staff, followed an appropriate procedure and maintained reliable records.
In this guide, Click2Comply explains the practical controls licensed premises should consider and how operators can demonstrate a responsible approach.
Why drugs are a licensing issue
The Licensing Act 2003 contains four licensing objectives. Drug-related activity is particularly relevant to the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. It may also create serious vulnerability and safeguarding concerns.
Where drug use or supply is associated with a venue, authorities may examine how effectively the premises is being managed. A failure to address known risks could result in additional licence conditions, enforcement action or, in serious cases, a review of the premises licence.
Every premises is different. The controls expected at a busy late-night nightclub may be more extensive than those required at a low-risk restaurant. The correct approach should be proportionate to the venue, its customers, operating hours, events, history and premises licence conditions.
1. Start with a clear drugs policy
A written drugs policy gives managers, employees and security staff a consistent framework to follow. It should be specific to the premises rather than a generic document that nobody uses.
Depending on the operation, the policy may address:
Warning signs of possible drug use or supply
Responsibilities of bar staff, managers and door supervisors
When an incident must be escalated to management
Refusal of entry or removal procedures
Customer vulnerability and medical emergencies
Handling, recording and storage of suspected substances
When and how the police should be contacted
The policy should reflect the premises risk assessment, licence conditions, local licensing policy and any arrangements agreed with the police.
2. Train staff to recognise and respond
A policy cannot protect a business if employees have never read it or do not understand their responsibilities. Staff should receive appropriate training before being expected to manage a drug-related incident.
Training should help employees understand:
Common indicators of possible drug use or dealing
The limits of their role and the importance of personal safety
Who to contact and when to escalate concerns
How to support someone who is vulnerable or unwell
What information should be entered in the incident record
The venue-specific procedures they must follow
Different roles may require different levels of instruction. Door supervisors, bar staff, floor staff and managers do not necessarily have the same responsibilities.
Training should also be refreshed when risks, procedures, events or licence conditions change.
3. Use proportionate entry and search controls
Some premises may use entry conditions, search procedures or SIA-licensed door supervisors as part of their drugs-prevention strategy. These measures should be based on the assessed risk and applied lawfully, respectfully and consistently.
Where searches are conducted, relevant staff should understand the venue policy, consent, refusal of entry, prohibited items, record keeping and escalation. Customers should also be made aware of entry conditions.
Not every venue requires the same search arrangements. Operators should avoid copying procedures from a different business without considering whether they are appropriate for their own premises.
4. Never improvise when suspected drugs are found
Staff should know exactly what to do if a suspected controlled substance is found, surrendered or seized in accordance with the premises procedure.
The agreed procedure may include minimising unnecessary handling, using appropriate packaging or secure storage, making a contemporaneous incident entry and contacting the police under local arrangements.
Clear procedures protect employees, preserve accountability and create an auditable trail. Staff should never place themselves at risk or make up a process during an incident.
5. Maintain evidence of active management
Telling a police or licensing officer that staff have been trained is not the same as being able to prove it.
A well-managed compliance file may include:
The premises drugs risk assessment
The current drugs policy
Staff training and refresher records
Course-completion evidence
Incident and refusal records
Security briefings and handover records
Records of drugs surrendered, found or dealt with under the agreed procedure
Management reviews and any corrective action taken
Records should be accurate, accessible and reviewed—not simply filed away. Reviewing incidents can reveal recurring times, locations, events or behaviours that require additional controls.
How Click2Comply can help
Click2Comply provides accessible online compliance training designed specifically for licensed premises. Our training helps employees understand drug-related risks, their responsibilities and the importance of following venue procedures.
Businesses can retain evidence of course completion alongside their own policies, risk assessments and operational records. This helps demonstrate that training is organised, monitored and taken seriously.
Click2Comply also offers a growing library of licensed-premises courses, practical compliance resources and business subscription options. Where tailored premises-licensing advice or a detailed compliance review is required, further support is available through Licensing Professionals.
Do not wait for an incident
The best time to identify a compliance gap is before a drugs incident, police visit or premises licence review.
Review your risks, check your licence conditions, make sure your written procedures are current and confirm that every relevant employee understands what to do. Most importantly, retain the evidence that shows your controls are being implemented.
Train your staff. Evidence your compliance. Protect your premises.
Explore Click2Comply training at: https://www.click2comply.co.uk
For tailored licensing advice, visit: https://www.licensingprofessionals.com
Could your premises demonstrate that it is properly managing drug-related risks?
Download our free 14-point Licensed Premises Drugs Compliance Checklist. Review
your policies, staff training, incident procedures and compliance records before a police visit or licensing incident.
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