Police in Shropshire today warned people carrying weapons and illegal drugs: “We are out to ruin your day.”The message came after revellers at Pussycats in Wellington were tested for illegal drugs and searched in a huge crackdown on drug dealing and knife crime last night.

Clubbers going into the Tan Bank complex were swobbed by police at the end of a week-long operation to “clean sweep” the streets of anti-social behaviour. They were also searched for weapons using a hand-held metal detector inside a glove.

Inspector Dick Langton said it was time drug users and knife carriers realised there was no place for them in the town.

The revolutionary Iontrak machine was used to swob the hands of nearly 300 clubbers in just over two hours.

Eight people tested positive for illegal drugs and were quizzed by a team of police officers outside. A 25-year-old man tested positive for cocaine and left the club. He was then searched by officers who discovered a bag of white powder on him.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class-A drug and was taken to Malinsgate Police Station.

Six people – one woman and five men – were found with traces of class-B drug cannabis. While two men gave positive tests for class-A drug cocaine.

Bosses of Pussycats welcomed officers into the club to do the operation.

Inspector Dick Langton, of Wellington Police Station, said: “If people are carrying drugs or weapons we are out to spoil their day before they spoil it for everyone else.”

The majority of clubbers welcomed the crackdown.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s brilliant. My sister came into a nightclub and someone gave her drugs and we never saw her alive again. It was three months ago and she was only 23 – one ecstasy tablet killed her – that’s all it took.”

Mr Langton said: “What is very pleasing is the positive reaction from the vast majority of people and the willingness of the men and women of Wellington to take part.”

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman