A dog trained to sniff out cocaine is the latest weapon in the war against drugs in Dorset's pubs and clubs.
Four-year-old black labrador Joe will make his debut at an upmarket bistro in Lower Parkstone next Friday night.
And Le Bateau's owner Richard Crump hopes other licensed premises in the area will follow suit.
He told the Daily Echo: "Our main aim is to keep our customers safe; we already swab glasses for traces of drugs if we suspect illegal substances have been used. Positive readings result in an instant ban.
"We have security staff on the door and nine surveillance cameras.
"Joe will act as another deterrent.
"This is an affluent area; because people have more money, cocaine is the drug of choice.
"Cocaine is widely available and we believe every pub and club in Bournemouth and Poole should be sending out a message that drug use and dealing will not be tolerated on their premises."
Former Dorset police officer Nigel Hubbard, now a director of Bournemouth-based security company C&M Investigations, is backing the scheme.
He said: "Passive drug dogs are used to screen the air around people and detect the presence of drugs.
"They have been successfully used at concerts and nightclubs in other parts of the country to screen queues.
"As well as detecting drugs, these dogs act as a visible deterrent.
"Our aim is to provide a safe environment for law-abiding people to enjoy themselves."
A spokesman for Poole-based Global Risk Security Ltd, which is also behind the scheme, said: "Joe has been trained to sniff out cocaine and cannabis.
"Another dog is currently being trained; I've spoken to a number of licensees in Bournemouth and they have also shown an interest in the scheme, which will be funded by the pubs and clubs who use the dogs.
"Cocaine is a big problem in this area and we are even approaching schools and commercial premises to find out if they would benefit from having Joe around.
"He is the first passive drug dog in Dorset and we're hoping to expand the scheme across the two boroughs."
For more information go to cmi.uk.net
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article