Pubs and clubs in Oxford are to be given drugs testing kits after an Oxford Mail exposé of cocaine use in the city.

The Mail sent reporter Jo Duckles out into Oxford’s city centre, Cowley Road and Jericho areas and found traces of cocaine in the toilets of seven out of 16 venues.

The findings stunned police, council officials and publicans and now Nightsafe – the local partnership tackling drink and drug-crime at pubs in the city – is offering tester kits to venues.

Insp Graham Sutherland, of Oxford police, said: “An opportunity has arisen out of the findings of the Oxford Mail survey.

“This is to work with Nightsafe in Oxford to provide members with free cocaine testing kits so they can conduct frequent tests of their premises and take the necessary crime reduction activity to prevent further cocaine abuse.”

Nightsafe manager Karen Crossan said: “We were looking at them for when we do our own inspections, but after seeing what the Oxford Mail had done, we realised licensees were concerned and thought: why not give them the kits to use?”

Oxford Mail editor Simon O’Neill said: “We carried out the tests several weeks ago and were amazed at the results. We’re delighted there’s been a positive response from Karen and her team.”

Licensees welcomed the move.