POLICE are celebrating after a Blackpool swingers club became the latest casualty of the resort's alcohol-related crime-fighting initiative - Nightsafe.

More than 1,500 bottles of unlicensed alcohol ranging from beer and alcopops to spirits and champagne were recovered during the raid on the Passions club, Buchanan Street, on Saturday, May 29.

Officials from Trading Standards, Blackpool council, HM Customs and Excise and Lancashire Fire and Rescue joined more than 20 police officers in the raid conducted as part of the on-going Nightsafe initiative.

No-one has yet been charged in relation to the raid but, under section 84 and 85 of the Licensing Act 1964, a fine of up to £5,000 or a jail sentence could face anyone who illegally sells alcohol.

A spokesman for the Nightsafe initiative, Sergeant Richard Hunt said: "Nightsafe staff have spent months collating intelligence and co-ordinating the Passions raid in conjunction with a number of other organisations.

"We're all very pleased with last weekend's results. It may not be illegal to run a 'swingers club' establishment where adult couples can meet, such as Passions.

"But it is an offence to run an unlicensed bar in inadequate surroundings so close to other residential properties.

"We are targeting other unlicensed outfits but this raid is just the first in a number of planned multi-agency operations designed to raise the general standard of public premises in the town.

"It is therefore also a warning for managers and owners of licensed premises all over the Fylde coast to make improvements on issues such as public health and fire safety."

The Nightsafe initiative was first introduced as a partnership scheme to tackle alcohol-related crime on the Fylde coast under the leadership of Detective Superintendent Andy Rhodes in November 2003.

Since then the project - which includes the high profile Walk Away campaign - has been implemented by divisions across the county earning it the coveted 'Trail Blazer' status within the Lancashire Constabulary.

Sergeant Hurt added: "This has quite literally gone from strength to strength is a short space of time. This latest raid is an example of success."