Exclusive by Alan Quick

FOLLOWING a lead from a member of the public last week, Crediton Town Council has been able to obtain photographic evidence relating to drug-taking by children, some believed to be under 12 years-of-age, in Newcombes Meadow.

Youngsters were seen in a “den” created in woodland behind the town’s St Boniface Statue and the back of Crediton Denture Clinic and Masonic Lodge, off Union Road.

After investigation the “den” was found to contain many Nitrous Oxide (NOS) canisters lying within the greenery as well as empty sweet packets, bottles and drink containers.

There is also evidence of an attempt to set a school book on fire as well as balloons and used lighters.

Local resident Heather Sansom said she deduced the book belonged to a junior school child by the level of the content of the homework book, and subsequently spoke to a local primary school’s Child Protection Officer.

Ms Sansom has also contacted the police and she explained that the Child Protection Officer is currently working with the Police in an investigation.

She said she had reports of youngsters using the “den” during recent months.

She appealed to parents: “If you have only a slight suspicion of children coming to any type of harm, please report it!”

Since Heather reported the incident to the police, she said there is further evidence of attempted fires and a greater number of canisters have appeared.

POLICE WARNING

There have been reports of young people taking NOS in and around the town during the past year.

Last year Crediton police issued a warning to parents that local teenagers were using house parties to consume alcohol, “legal highs” and drugs.

It followed the discovery of outdoor sites known as “Crash” and “Doritos” at various locations around the town.

After the sites were discovered, local teenagers were believed to have moved their gatherings indoors.

A spokesperson for Crediton Police said: “Youths have decided to hold house parties in the absence of all responsible adults.

“These parties have mainly consisted of underage drinking, cannabis smoking, NOS (nitrous oxide) inhaling and possibly other related drug use, therefore we are urging parents/guardians to take positive action in knowing what/where your sons and daughters are.”

NOS canisters were previously found at “Crash” sites at locations on the outskirts of the town and at other locations last year.

BANDSTAND

Crediton Town Council was last year able to stop the problem of illegal drug taking in Crediton Bandstand in Newcombes Meadow by increasing the lighting in the area.

NOS canisters were previously found at the bandstand and rubbish was used to start a small fire in the bandstand by a group of youths during the evening of Wednesday, November 11.

Previously Crediton Police Sgt Dave MacFadden said: “This evidence of NOS use is of great concern to me and, I would hope, towards any parents of young teenagers living in the Crediton area.

“The threat, risk and harm towards young people and anyone inhaling NOS gas is very high.

“Nitrous Oxide can be habit-forming and addictive.

“In the worst case scenario it can result in death if it is inhaled in such a way that not enough oxygen is breathed in at the same time.

“While the pure gas is not toxic, its long-term use in large quantities has been associated with serious long-term health problems.

“Intoxication from NOS gas can cause the user to be vulnerable to injury from falls and physical abuse as they can be totally incapacitated for a short period of time from the effects.”

He added: “It doesn’t take much to imagine what would happen if someone under the influence of the gas was to climb up the tree and then accidentally fall from that height.

“I don’t want to be sending one of my officers round to a parents house to tell them that their son or daughter is now seriously injured in hospital or even worse.

“We also have the threat of injury that can be caused by those using shotgun cartridges to either smoke in bongs or use in a fire pit.

“There is also the potential of sexual assaults or activity taking place, which could be happening with or without consent.”

Sgt MacFadden said that all these scenario’s can be prevented in the future by “making sure we work together as one community”.

Previously Crediton police officers visited local shops in Crediton High Street to warn them of this latest craze and asked them to contact the police if anybody was buying large quantities of the gas and officers visited and worked with the local schools around education and the risks involved in substance abuse, and said it would continue to get the message out via different media forums.

Sgt MacFadden said that part of the education is to make sure parents and those using NOS gas know that it is an offence to supply this gas to anyone for the purposes of inhalation without them being a registered pharmacist.

He added: “I will make sure we take positive action against anyone we find or suspect is supplying this gas to anyone for the purposes of inhalation.

“If we find anyone under 18 years-of-age in possession or under the influence of the gas, we will be taking them back home to meet their parents and complete a referral to Social Services and the health agencies.”

He continued: “I would ask our communities to report any evidence or suspicious behaviour involving this substance abuse to us so we can act on it immediately.

“I would ask parents to find out where their sons or daughters are going when they go out in the evenings and then physically check that they are where they say they are.

“By working together we can put a stop to this and reduce the threat, risk and harm to young vulnerable people.”

During the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2015, Crediton Police Officers attended Newcombes Meadow Park, where they located and searched a group of 10 youths.

A quantity of alcohol and Nitrous Oxide canisters were seized and a young local youth was taken home.

The officers believed these people and items were on the way to a local “CRASH” site.

Sgt MacFadden said: “The proactive work carried out by the officers helped to prevent further offences and harm being committed.”

He concluded: “Please be vigilant and report any information to us at: [email protected] or: [email protected] or telephone 101 (non emergency), 999 in an emergency, or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.”

’NO LAUGHING MATTER’

Mrs Clare Dalley, Crediton Town Clerk, said this week: “This latest discovery is very worrying.

“It seems to be a craze and steps have to be taken by the whole community to stop it.

“Nitrous Oxide is more commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ but this is no laughing matter.

“Taking Nitrous Oxide can have serious consequences. It is very concerning, and health wise, youngsters do not know what they are taking.

“It is very important that everybody takes responsibility to stop such appalling behaviour.”

A suggested solution to stop young people building dens in Newcombes Meadow is the removal of low-level tree covering behind the St Boniface Statue.

• Is there a serious drug problem in Crediton? If you have a view, why not share it with fellow “Courier” readers?

Send a letter, suitable for publication, to the Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .