Laughing gas could be banned from sale to tackle antisocial behaviour

This would certainly resolve many of the youth Antisocial behaviour (ASB) hot spots and littering issues across the country, and we know it is something all MP's have received complaints about. BBNWA and local residents are certainly fed up clearing them up and reporting them!

P.S. Don't stop complaining to your MP's, Councillors, Councils, and police teams. Use fixmystreet.com to report littering.

It's currently not an offence to sell them! However, Bexley has introduced a Public Space Protection Order directly aimed at gas canisters which provides more powers. See https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/community-safety-and-environment/pspo/public-space-protection-order this is being enforced.

Here are the links of this news:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nitrous-oxide-laughing-gas-drug-banned-what-is-it-b1021802.html

https://news.sky.com/story/laughing-gas-to-be-banned-under-anti-social-behaviour-crackdown-12795753?fbclid=IwAR2QkYSr5c8xyqXZ5VoDS7P7Si_ewpQWEnW_CqZqRdtMBB1__5FLOT7zOwo

Keeping Bexley Safe - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

A borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will come into force from Monday 25 October following a recent consultation with Bexley residents and businesses and will be in place for three years and subject to future reviews. 

 

The aim of the PSPO is to help reduce the community impact of drug and alcohol misuse, specifically the health impact of nitrous oxide along with problematic street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour, including litter.  

 

The consultation that ran from 6 to 20 October followed a request from Bexley Police to introduce the PSPO.  

 

1663 responses were received with 97% of residents supporting a boroughwide PSPO to address the misuse of nitrous oxide canisters, and 85% of residents in support of a boroughwide PSPO for street drinking.

 

Prohibited behaviour within the PSPO area will include – 

 

·         committing or being likely to commit, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour 

·         being in possession of (without a lawful or reasonable excuse) nitrous oxide cannisters 

·         consuming, inhaling, injecting or smoking any substance capable of stimulating or depressing the central nervous system (eg nitrous oxide) 

·         behaving in an anti-social manner within any public car park or any park 

·         behaving in an anti-social manner in any other public space, whether on your own, or with any other person(s) 

 

Anyone found to be in breach of any of these by an authorised person - including a delegated officer of the London Borough of Bexley, a police constable or a police community support officer - will be issued with a brief intervention card offering access to substance misuse helplines; as well as being asked to surrender any psychoactive substances (e.g. nitrous oxide) and dispose of any alcohol in their possession. If over 18 they will also be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 with an early pay reduction to £60.00.

 

Information on the local support available for drug or alcohol addiction will also be shared with anyone in breach of the rules who may need it.  Inhaling nitrous oxide gas can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, unconsciousness, collapse and consequent injury. Taking it can lead to a range of health problems, such as burns, a dangerously increased heart rate, swelling on the brain, nerve damage and anaemia, as well as serious psychological problems. 

 

Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Sue Gower MBE said: 

 

“It isn’t just the anti-social or the litter side to this issue that concerns us – more important there are the very real health implications for anyone inhaling nitrous oxide. We are hoping that this order will deter people from risking their lives in this way.  

 

I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in this consultation. It was clear from the responses that our residents feel that this is the best way to tackle this kind of behaviour. We shall be monitoring the PSPO to see how successful it is over the next few months.  

 

We are keen to also hear from residents on any other local crime and disorder issues that may concern them. The Bexley Crime survey is currently live online. The results of this survey will help the Community Safety Partnership decide its priorities for 2022/23.” 

  
The Bexley Crime survey runs until 31 December and is available online at www.bexley.gov.uk/crimesurvey 

A paper version of the Bexley Crime Survey can be requested from the Community Safety Team by calling 020 8303 7777 or writing to the Community Safety Team at Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7AT. Once complete, please return your paper survey by post to the same address.

 

All information, conditions and future updates in relation to the new PSPO will be available at www.bexley.gov.uk/PSPO  

 

For further Community Safety information including PSPO updates, please sign up to our BCSP e newsletter www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates

Source: Keeping Bexley Safe

Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation

 

The London Borough of Bexley is asking local residents and businesses for their views on the introduction of a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) PSPOs are used to provide the Police, Community Officers and delegated Council Enforcement Officers with the ability and powers to control activities that cause persistent anti-social behaviour that is either having or is likely to have, a harmful effect on a local community’s quality of life. It is hoped that a borough-wide PSPO could help to reduce the public health and environmental impact of the misuse of nitrous oxide canisters as well as the impact of street drinking. While nitrous oxide canisters do cause unsightly litter, the health effects are far more serious. Inhaling nitrous oxide gas can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, unconsciousness, collapse and consequent injury. Taking it can lead to a range of health problems such as burns, a dangerously increased heart rate, swelling on the brain, nerve damage and anaemia, as well as serious psychological problems. Bexley Police have formally requested the PSPO. Before they could submit their request they carried out their own consultation with residents at the end of last year. More than 2250 residents responded. Of those responses, 2184 supported the introduction of a PSPO. Part of the PSPO process includes a public consultation. We are asking those who live, work and visit Bexley to complete a short survey, to establish if there is support for a PSPO and to address any concerns. Please make sure you get in touch and have your say on the proposals.” The consultation is available at www.bexley.gov.uk/PSPO from 6 October and will close on Wednesday 20 October. If approved the PSPO could be in place by the end of October. If introduced, anyone who breaches the PSPO for the reason of drugs or alcohol would be offered the support they may need. If you would like a paper copy of the survey or if you have any further questions about the proposed PSPO please contact community.safety@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8303 7777 and ask for Community Safety Team.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are made under the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014

Source: https://www.bexley.gov.uk/consultations/public-space-protection-order-pspo

Further information on nitrous oxide canisters visit the post here.

All-time high of deaths from Laughing gas, ‘hippy crack', Nos

Nitrous oxide – known as “hippy crack” – is now the second most used drug and is huge among 16 to 24-year-olds after over half a million young people reported taking the drug in 2019-20.

Earlier this month, Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was ready to “take tough action” on its use.

Nitrous oxide, which is usually sold in small silver canisters and inhaled, can cause serious long-term effects such as vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia. It is also commonly used at anti-social gatherings and leads to widespread littering in public places, bringing misery to communities.

Nitrous oxide is taken mostly through balloons filled from small metal cylinders that are often seen littering the streets.

Physical health risks

• It is very dangerous to inhale nitrous oxide directly from the canister, and doing it in an enclosed space is also very dangerous.

• Never place a plastic bag over your head.

• If you take too much nitrous oxide you risk falling unconscious and/or suffocating from the lack of oxygen. People have died this way.

Other risks include:

• Dizziness, which might make you act carelessly or dangerously.

• Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia. Severe B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. This can be very painful and make walking difficult.

• Regular use can stop you forming white blood cells properly.

• It can be hard to judge the amount to use safely. If you have too much you can end up fainting, having an accident or worse.

Mixing nitrous oxide with alcohol is especially dangerous as it can increase the risks associated with both substances and can lead to an increased risk of accidents.

The Law

• Some volatile substances are covered by the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act, which means it’s illegal to give away or sell.

• There’s no penalty for possession, unless you’re in prison.

• Supply and production can get you up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.

If the police catch people supplying illegal drugs in a home, club, bar or hostel, they can potentially prosecute the landlord, club owner or any other person concerned in the management of the premises.

Additional law details

As of 2016, nitrous oxide is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effect for human consumption.

The government has concerns that this could be a significant factor resulting in the increasing consumption of the substance.

Further information and help is available as follows:

• TalkToFrank
• DrugWise
• GOV.UK
• Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

Summary (courtesy of Blendon and Penhill Police (FB)):

THE DRUG

THE EFFECTS

THE RISKS

THE LAW

[Click each image above to view enlarged]