A BLACKWOOD bar has been closed for three months after police found what are thought to be drugs and children there on Friday.

When police entered The Vanilla Bar on High Street with a drugs warrant, they found 35 people under 18 inside. The youngest was just 15.

They recovered 17 bags and a block of white powder, steroids and drug equipment. Analysis to confirm what the powder is took place yesterday.

Gwent Police’s Inspector Carl Williams served the landlord with a temporary closure notice on Friday and it was extended at Newport Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Before the end of the three months’ closure Gwent Police will apply to Caerphilly council to hold a licensing review for the bar. At that meeting the bar’s licence could be completely revoked, revoked for a three month period or stringent licensing conditions imposed.

Cllr Nigel Dix who represents Blackwood on Caerphilly council said: “I have had a few complaints from residents about underage drinking and problems coming from the bar. It has been on my radar and the police’s for a while and I’m relieved it’s been resolved.”

He said there would be regularly “chaos and mayhem” for residents after the bar shut its doors in the early hours. He said he hoped its closure can mean residents can live undisturbed now.

Cllr Dix will be supporting a permanent closure of the venue. He said its place on the High Street is unsuitable because of the number of people it looked to accommodate and its location close to people’s homes.

Night time economy officer PC Adam Lang said: “It is concerning that such a large number of young people were drinking under the age of 18 in the pub and that drugs were found at the premises.

“We work with licensed premises to ensure that they offer a safe environment for their customers, uphold their licensing conditions and operate within the law. This was clearly not the case with this licensed premise and as such we have taken firm action.”

And Inspector Williams said: “This is a prime example of the police working with our partner agencies to ensure that the night time economy in our local towns operates within the law. I hope this sends out a clear message that we will take action against any premises that refuses to do so.”

When executing their warrant, police officers were joined by Caerphilly council’s trading standards officers, health and safety officers, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and a South Wales Police drugs dog.