A town centre pub was closed after a police raid involving 46 officers.



They swooped on the Hobgoblin in Newark Market Place after receiving information about alleged drugs use on the premises.

Police had intended to order a hearing on Monday to apply for the pub’s licence to be revoked, unless certain conditions were agreed.

Inspector Steve Cartwright, of Newark Police, ordered the Hobgoblin to stay shut until after the hearing.

However, the police said the hearing wasn’t necessary because the pub owners, Pubs ‘n’ Bars Plc, agreed to meet their conditions.

The conditions include the renaming of the pub, new management, improved CCTV, a robust drugs policy agreed with police and reduced happy hour promotions.

Inspector Cartwright said they retained the right to call a hearing if any of its conditions were not met.

The officers on Friday night’s operation arrived at the Hobgoblin in a convoy of vehicles.

Bollards in Bridge Street were removed to allow the vehicles to the door of the pub.

An Advertiser reporter and photographer watched as the Nottinghamshire Police Tactical Support Group (TSG) executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The 35 drinkers inside the pub were quickly contained.

A sniffer dog was used. Those whom it indicated may have traces of drugs on their clothes were searched.

Most drinkers received the all-clear and were allowed to resume their night out at other premises.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class A drug. They have been bailed pending analysis of substances found.

A fourth man was given an official warning for possessing cannabis.

The licensee was arrested on suspicion of allowing premises to be used for the illegal use of Class A drugs and has been bailed by police.

Officers searched the pub and another dog was used to search for drugs on the premises.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s licensing officer, Mr Paul Inman, swabbed surfaces for traces of drugs.

Inspector Cartwright, who led the operation, said it had been launched in response to information provided by the public through Crimestoppers.

He said evidence had been prepared for a licensing hearing.

“I am highly pleased with the way the operation went,” said Inspector Cartwright.

“I had concerns due to the fact that there were 35 people inside the Hobgoblin, but they were quickly and professionally contained and there were no injuries.”

A Newark member of the Nottinghamshire Police Authority, Miss Jean Moore, who was on the operation as an independent observer, said: “The operation was brilliantly executed.”

Mounted officers patrolled the town centre after the raid.

A spokesman for Pubs ‘n’ Bars Plc refused to comment.

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