Police raided a Hamilton nightclub early yesterday morning after receiving a tip off that female strippers were performing inside for a stag night.

About 12 officers and a drug-sniffing dog filed into the Escape nightclub on Par-la-Ville Road just before 2 a.m. and found two girls in a state of undress in a back room.

The DJ was asked to switch off the music as the lights went up; a full search of the premises was carried out for any illegal activity, including the use of narcotics.

Inspector Stuart Crockwell, who heads up the Police Support Unit, said: "We got a 911 call from an informant saying that a strip show was going on in the club.

"But it would seem that Police got there just a minute too late. Two women were in the back room in a state of undress. They were both from New York. There was a large bag of lingerie and stiletto-heeled shoes on the floor nearby.

"When we got there they seemed to be getting dressed."

Insp. Crockwell said the Police unit had been told in the club that the girls were not strippers, but had drunk too much and had been dancing evocatively and the bag of clothes was intended for a girls' sleepover.

No drugs were found in the nightclub, but four people were arrested for obstruction and using offensive language, either inside the club, or once they were outside in the street.

Club owner Paul DeCouto said he supported the Police action and said the club would continue to be pro-active in the war against crime.

He said: "I appreciate their tact and the way they did things. They came in and did a thorough job. I'm totally against any use of drugs. The Police are satisfied there is nothing on the premises, so it's definitely good for us."

The raid was captured by a reporter and a photographer from The Royal Gazette, who were shadowing the Police Support Unit during a busy eight hour shift.

For more on a very busy Saturday night, see Page 4