POLICE pressure on drugs misuse issues in the area will continue while an initiative is planned to tackle alcohol related problems.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard that over £100,000 worth of drugs had been recovered in the area in the first five months of the year.

Community Inspector Gavin Cameron told councillors: "Operation Prospect is a divisional initiative aimed at tackling drugs misuse.

"Appointing a single point of contact for the Cowdenbeath Area to collate and action all drugs intelligence continues and whilst the overall number of drug supply, production, cultivation charges have fallen there have been some notable results recently.

"Between February 2019 and May 2019 nine warrants have been executed in the Cowdenbeath Area with a wide variety of drugs recovered to the value of £110,842."

He added: "Alcohol misuse is often a contributory factor in crime being committed, particularly crimes of violence, and anti-social behaviour.

"We will continue to work alongside staff in all types of of licensed premises carrying out regular inspections to ensure legislative conditions are being adhered to.

"Each visit is recorded by the Divisional Licensing Unit to ensure robust management and monitoring of licensed premises."

The Community Inspector went on: "One initiative currently being considered is a 'Pubwatch' scheme for the Cowdenbeath area.

"All licensees will be invited to participate and once up and running this will enable collective action to ban troublemakers while promoting effective working relations between police, licensed premises and local authorities."