Shetland roadside drug testing kit pilot

Drug drivers in Shetland are more likely to be caught as roadside testing kits are rolled out to local policing officers.

Training will be delivered as part of a pilot to give local policing officers the ability to use Drug Wipe – a mouth swab drug detection kit – which will give an instant result to check for cannabis and cocaine.

Drivers will still be taken back to a police station for a blood test that can detect other substances. It is then sent away to a laboratory and if appropriate, a case prepared for court.

Roadside Drug Wipe was unveiled in Scotland in 2019 and is currently only available to road policing officers. The small pilot will be evaluated as Police Scotland continues to work closely and carefully with Scottish Police Authority laboratories to ensure testing capacity can be managed. All police officers can use other legislation to deal with potential drug drivers.

It comes as Police Scotland’s festive drink and drug driving campaign takes place from 1 December 2024 - 19 January 2025.

Chief Inspector Chris Sewell, area commander for Shetland, said: “Having the Drug Wipe capability in Shetland will help ensure the island continues to be a safe place for all road users.

“While there is other legislation that officers can use, a roadside drug detection kit gives an instant result and sends a clear message to drivers. If you take drugs and drive, putting the lives of other people at risk, you will be caught.

“I’d like to thank our colleagues in Road Policing for delivering this training, and the ongoing support of the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and wider criminal justice system.”