Ashridge Group supports Milton Keynes College initiative with detection dogs visit
The Buckinghamshire Business Awards Company of the Year 2018 worked in conjunction with Thames Valley Police and dog handlers to provide recent security checks, supporting the colleges zero tolerance drug policy.
National statistics from the 2017/18 Home Office Crime Survey for England and Wales, found that 1 in 5 young people aged between 16 and 24 admitted to using an illicit drug in the past year.
A detection dog, or sniffer dog, is trained to use its sense of smell to detect the presence of drugs on a person. They have the ability to detect even the smallest amount of substances, even if they have been sealed or hidden. They are also trained to ignore common smells such as food and masking odours.
Lisa Norris is a professional dog handler and attended the day at Milton Keynes College, she said, “The use of dogs is a growing trend especially at the likes of colleges and construction sites where health and safety is paramount. These dogs are NASDU licenced to passively detect users of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, MDMA, Ketamine and Amphetamines from up to the night before. Some drugs are cheaper to obtain than alcohol now, making measure and deterrents like this all the more important.”
Milton Keynes College takes a zero-tolerance stance with drugs on campus and enlisted Ashridge Group to assist with its pre-emptive campaign, aimed at deterring anyone considering entering the college with drugs.
Nathan Indge, Head of Infrastructure & Estates at Milton Keynes College, said “The security and safety of our college students and staff is of the upmost importance. We are pleased to report the detection dogs found no hits on the day and there was no disruption to studies taking place. We will look to run more random checks like this in the future”.
Based in Aylesbury, Ashridge Group provides services and consultancy to sectors as diverse as corporates, live entertainment venues, rail and critical national infrastructure. Championing a people-oriented approach to business development, the company also looks to develop partnerships with other suppliers in the county as part of its aim to support the growth of the local economy.
Earlier this year, Ashridge Group won the Best in Aylesbury Vale business award at the Bucks Business event and then topped it by being awarded the overall prize of Company of the Year. The company continues to build strong links in the local area and embraces values of Diligence, Passion, Competence and Responsiveness.