Weapons seized in Thorpe Park searches

Sep 10 2009 By Tammy Hughes, Surrey Herald

KNIVES, CS gas and Class-A drugs have all been confiscated by police from thrill seekers who have visited Thorpe Park since March last year.

Information obtained by the Herald & News under the Freedom of Information Act has revealed there was 161 seizures of illegal drugs and 20 seizures of weapons - including six knives - at the gates of the theme park in the past year.

There have been 32 cases of confiscated cocaine and 98 cases in which cannabis was recovered. There has also been four incidents in which police recovered drugs they believe were brought to the family theme park with intent to supply.

Sally Heasman, 48, from Worthing, was visiting Thorpe Park with her family on Thursday and was shocked by the revelation.

She said: "It's a bit scary actually, it just wouldn't have occurred to me that it happened here. You let the kids go off on their own but there could be drug dealers hanging around."

Her daughter Alice Heasman, 16, said: "I don't understand why people would come to a theme park and bring drugs and weapons."

A father from Addlestone, who did not want to be named, added: "They need to find the people who are selling the drugs in there and put them in prison and throw away the key."

Other drugs taken from park-goers included six seizures of amphetamines, three of Ketamine and two of MDMA - the primary ingredient used in ecstasy tablets. In the past year there has also been three cases where CS gas was confiscated.

A spokesperson for Thorpe Park said: "As the health and safety of our guests and staff is our primary concern we have a zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour. We work closely with our local drugs liaison officer and are extremely vigilant in preventing contrabands entering Thorpe Park.

"We therefore undertake a very proactive approach to security, by which in 2009 we have so far carried out 83,461 random searches, an increase of 309% on 2007.

"July is one of the busiest periods at the park and, by way of percentages, more searches are carried out."